There are a variety of treatment options for glaucoma depending on the type and severity of your disease. Treatment options include:
- Medications – most commonly eye drops
- Laser treatment: Laser Trabeculoplasty and Peripheral Iridotomy
- Surgery including the latest technology the iStent
The Ophthalmologist will discuss with you the various options and which is most suited to you.
Laser Trabeculoplasty
Argon Laser is used in open angle glaucoma to treat the trabecular meshwork and improve the drainage of fluid from the eye.
It works best in pigmented angles and pseudo exfoliative glaucoma where it can drop the pressures an average of 30%. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (another type of glaucoma laser treatment) appears to be equivalent to argon laser trabeculoplasty in lowering the eye pressure.
The Procedure
A lens, containing a mirror to direct the laser into the angle of the eye, is placed onto the front of the eye after instilling a drop of local anaesthetic.
At the time of laser there may be some brief discomfort. As the eye is round, the anatomical angle of the eye covers a full 360 degrees. During laser, half of the 360 degrees of the angle is treated, taking less than 5 minutes. The remaining 180 degrees is only treated if the pressure drop is not adequate or the effect wears off.
Anti-inflammatory drops are used for 1 week after laser. The ocular pressure is rechecked at 3 weeks.
There are no restrictions to your activities after the laser. The eye may be slightly red. It should not be painful and the vision should not be affected.
The iStent - The Latest Technology
The latest technology for the treatment of glaucoma is the iStent – it is the world’s smallest medical implant. The iStent is inserted into the drainage meshwork of your eye at the time of cataract surgery and is effective in permanently lowering the eye pressure. For some, this can eliminate the need for medicated glaucoma eye drops entirely as the iStent improves the flow of fluid, thus keeping the pressure reduced. Our surgeons perform this world-class surgery locally in Mona Vale at Pittwater Day Surgery.
