Glaucoma Surgery
People frequently ask, is there a surgery for glaucoma? Glaucoma surgery is an option that can help lower the intraocular pressure in your eye when medication is not able to do so. However, it cannot reverse vision loss experienced by a glaucoma diagnosis.
Types of Glaucoma Surgery
Laser Eye Surgery For Glaucoma
Laser surgeries have become important in the treatment of different eye problems and diseases. Laser eye surgery for glaucoma increases the outflow of fluid from the eye in open-angle glaucoma or eliminates the fluid blockage in closed-angle glaucoma. There are several types of laser surgery that can be used:
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty is used to treat open-angle glaucoma. This procedure uses a laser that works at very low energy levels. It treats specific cells “selectively,” leaving the overall structure and architecture of the trabecular meshwork intact. Selective laser trabeculoplasty can be repeated if needed. This surgery has successfully lowered eye pressure in up to 70% of patients treated.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy is used to treat closed-angle glaucoma. Closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma occurs when the angle between the iris and the cornea is too small. This causes the iris to block fluid drainage, increasing inner eye pressure. Laser peripheral iridotomy procedures make a small hole in the iris, allowing it to fall back from the fluid channel and helping the fluid drain.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a group of operations that work by using microscopic-sized equipment and tiny incisions to provide increased safety. MIGS typically requires shorter operation time and allows for more rapid visual recovery. Although no surgery is without risk, MIGS has grown in popularity among eye surgeons in recent years for the improvements in safety. The tradeoff that comes with lower risk for complications is that we typically see more mild to moderate reductions in intraocular pressure with this type of procedure. Thus, it is unlikely to completely replace traditional glaucoma surgery, particularly in cases of advanced disease or high pressure that needs more aggressive lowering. It does give us additional options to consider for customizing the treatment to the individual.
