Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, i.e., the group of nerves responsible for transmitting visual signals to your brain. There is no cure for glaucoma, but numerous treatments can prevent the condition from worsening. Your glaucoma treatment may include prescription medications, eye drops, lifestyle changes, and possible surgical intervention, depending on your specific condition. Our ophthalmologists use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques to identify the root cause of your condition and formulate a personalized glaucoma treatment in Worcester.
What is Glaucoma Treatment?
When is Glaucoma
Treatment Performed?
Glaucoma treatment is meant for patients diagnosed with glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that endanger the optic nerve. Glaucoma occurs when your eye fluid can’t drain effectively, leading to increased intraocular pressure within your eyes. The increased eye pressure damages the fibers of the optic nerve, leading to the development of blind spots in your vision. If left untreated, glaucoma continues worsening and permanently damages the optic nerve, leading to complete blindness.
You must contact our ophthalmologists if you notice the signs and symptoms of glaucoma:
- Eye pain
- Eye redness
- Halos around light
- Blurred vision
- Visual disturbance in low light
- Blind spots in your vision
- Nausea and vomiting with eye pain
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Medical Surgical Eye Institute performs a thorough evaluation to diagnose the root cause of your symptoms. During your initial consultation, the eye doctor will examine your eyes, discuss your symptoms, ask about your family history, and determine if you have a high risk of glaucoma. The primary risk factors for glaucoma include age, elevated eye pressure, family history of glaucoma, nearsightedness, diabetes, and past eye injuries. Next, the eye doctor will perform a series of glaucoma imaging tests to personalize a glaucoma treatment in Worcester.
Tonometry
Tonometry is a diagnostic test that measures the pressure within your eyes. Several types of devices may be used to measure the pressure. This may be performed with a mechanical device or an electronic device after numbing drops are administered. This is a quick and painless test that helps eye doctors diagnose glaucoma and track your intraocular pressure.
Pachymetry
This is performed with a device that measures the central corneal thickness (CCT). The most common device for performing this test is an ultrasonic pachymeter. During the test, the small probe of the pachymeter touches the surface of the cornea and generates ultrasound waves to measure the corneal thickness. It takes less than a minute to measure corneal thickness, but it can increase the accuracy of your diagnosis.
Visual Field Test
If your optic nerve is damaged, you may have blind spots in your vision. The visual field test determines the extent of damage sustained by your optic nerve. You have to look at a concave computer screen and press a buzzer when you see a flash of light. Based on your reaction time and accuracy, the doctor will identify the severity of glaucoma to be able to find the right glaucoma treatment in Worcester.
OPHTHALMOSCOPY
Ophthalmoscopy is a procedure that allows the eye doctor to examine the optic nerve through your pupil. The eye doctor can examine the specific condition of your optic nerve to determine the level of damage. Ophthalmoscopy is critical to assess the health of the optic nerve and retina.
OCT (OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY)
This is a device that produces an electronic image that measures multiple parameters of the optic nerve and retina to analyze damage to your optic nerve. Serial measurements allow your ophthalmologist to determine stability or progression of your glaucoma to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHY
This is a digital photograph of your optic nerve and retina. Combined with the other testing modalities serial measurements allow your ophthalmologist to determine stability or progression of your glaucoma to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Your Glaucoma
Treatment Options:
Glaucoma Eyedrops
The eye doctor may prescribe eyedrops to lower the pressure within your eyes and protect the optic nerve from further damage. Depending on your condition, your glaucoma treatment in Worcester may consist of using the eyedrops once, twice, thrice, or even four times a day. While eyedrops can’t cure or reverse glaucoma, they can prevent the condition from worsening. You may need more than one eye drop medication to adequately control your glaucoma.
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT)
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a procedure that treats the trabecular meshwork, i.e., the tissues responsible for the drainage of fluids from the eye, and is located in the vicinity of the junction of the cornea and iris. When this collection of tissues is targeted, the intraocular pressure can substantially decrease. This is an ideal treatment for some types of open-angle glaucoma.
Additional Glaucoma
Treatment Options:
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a procedure that channels low levels of highly targeted laser energy to treat the damaged parts of the trabecular meshwork while leaving most of the meshwork intact. This is similar to ALT, but unlike ALT, this procedure can be repeated. SLT is also meant for patients with open-angle glaucoma.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is a specialized glaucoma treatment in Worcester that involves making a small opening through the peripheral iris, allowing a more direct route for fluid produced behind the iris to drain into the front of the eye and then out through the trabecular meshwork. If the patient has angle-closure glaucoma, this technique might be necessary to reduce intraocular pressure. This procedure is frequently recommended as a prophylactic procedure to prevent acute angle closure in susceptible patients with anatomically narrow angles.
Schedule an Appointment
Medical Surgical Eye Institute is a premier eye care center specializing in cutting-edge treatments for eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and more. Our ophthalmologists are specialists in the effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of eye conditions. We also take a proactive approach to eye care, helping you identify and treat vision problems before they significantly affect your health. Please schedule an appointment if you have the signs and symptoms of glaucoma in Worcester.
