Book Appointment Now

Glaucoma CenterSee Life Clearly Again

Glaucoma Treatment at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve. Over 3 million Americans (65 million people worldwide) are affected by glaucoma. Half of those with glaucoma are not aware of it. Glaucoma has been called the “silent thief of sight” because there are no warning signs until significant nerve damage and vision loss has occurred.

As the optic nerve degenerates, blind spots develop in the peripheral (side) vision. Because the blind spots are usually in the outer visual field, they go unnoticed. The most common cause of nerve damage is high intraocular pressure (eye pressure). Once the nerve is damaged, it cannot be replaced or repaired. With early detection and proper treatment, total blindness from glaucoma is uncommon.

What is Glaucoma?

Everyone has some risk of glaucoma. It is important for everyone to have routine eye exams to look for the early signs of glaucoma. The risk for glaucoma is increased with these factors:
Higher eye pressure
A family history of glaucoma
African-American, Asian, or Hispanic descent
Past eye injury
Severe nearsightedness
Other medical conditions – diabetes, migraines, poor circulation
Use of steroid medications

What Causes Glaucoma?

There are many causes of glaucoma, some we understand and some we do not. The most common cause is high intraocular pressure. The eye is full of fluid called the aqueous humor. The eye is constantly making and draining this fluid. Fluid is drained out of the eye through a filter, called the trabecular meshwork. If the filter (meshwork) in the eye is clogged, fluid cannot drain properly and the eye pressure rises. As the eye pressure rises, it pushes on the optic nerve and can cause the nerve to be damaged.

There are 2 main types of glaucoma that are named for the different ways fluid outflow is reduced:
Open-Angle Glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma in the United States, Europe, and Africa. In open-angle glaucoma, the meshwork appears normal but does not allow fluid to pass through adequately.
Closed-Angle Glaucoma is more common in Asia than in the United States. In closed-angle glaucoma, the iris blocks the meshwork decreasing the outflow of fluid from the eye. This can rapidly increase eye pressure causing pain and immediate loss of vision. This can also happen slowly without pain and casuse a gradual loss of vision.

Glaucoma: Symptoms & Treatment

Symptoms

Unfortunately, most glaucoma cases has no noticeable early symptoms. Usually, the eye pressure is not high enough to “feel” unless it is very high. Vision loss usually takes years to progress to the point someone can notice the blind spots. Symptoms of glaucoma can include blurring of vision, halos around lights and a feeling of pressure or pain around the eye. This usually occurs from wide fluctuations in eye pressure or a rapid rise in eye pressure.

Treating Glaucoma

Most glaucoma treatments are aimed at consistently lowering intraocular pressure.
Eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment, and surgery can be used to lower intraocular pressure.
These treatments do not cure glaucoma but help control the disease.

Laser Treatment for Glaucoma

Lasers are available to help lower eye pressure.
Laser trabeculoplasty is the most common laser used for glaucoma and can be used in the early or middle stages of the disease.
Lasers can often decrease or eliminate the need for eye drops.

Eye Drops for Glaucoma

Eye drops are the most common treatment for glaucoma.
Eye drops work to either decrease the amount of fluid the eye makes or increase the outflow of fluid.
It is important to use eye drops as they are prescribed and to not miss doses.
Oral medications are some of the most powerful ways to lower intraocular pressure. They carry certain side effects that limit long-term use.

Surgical Treatment for Glaucoma

Surgery is available when medicines and lasers do not control the intraocular pressure.
The most common types of glaucoma surgery either enhance the natural passageway for fluid to flow out of the eye or create a new passageway for fluid to flow out of the eye.
Sometimes a tube or shunt is used to direct fluid out of the eye.-
We also offer MIGS procedures that are less invasive and easier to recover from.
A new implantable device, iDose TR is now commercially available. This tiny implant slowly releases medication in your eye for 2-3 years and replaces eye drops for many patients. Click here to learn more.

New Glaucoma Treatment: iDose TR

iDose TR is a complete shift in how glaucoma medicine is delivered to the inner eye. After a quick implantation procedure, sight saving medication is automatically released into the eye for 2-3 years, precisely where it needs to be.

Advantages
Eye Drops – 8 out of 10 patients did not need prescription eye drops 12 months after administration.
Side Effects – Fewer or no drops means fewer or no side effects from drops
Better Quality of Life – Spend more time enjoying your life and not worrying about placing daily eye drops

Contact Us to Schedule Treatment for Keratoconus

Don’t let your vision problems and eye conditions stop you from enjoying life and taking in the world around you. Eye Center of Northern Colorado covers your vision and eye health with our comprehensive solutions, including outstanding lenses and procedures. If you suffer from keratoconus and need professional treatment, we offer corneal cross-linking as a highly effective treatment option to slow or stop its progression. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss your progressive eye disease and how we can help.