Lunch and Learn Series: Treatment of Glaucoma
At the Kansas City Eye Clinic we have started a new lunch and learn series in which one doctor presents a current topic to the staff in his/her specialty. Our goal is to educate the staff on eye disease, new technology, and treatments in our evolving eye care world. On this blog, we want to highlight these topics and educate our patients.
Since January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, Dr. Johann Ohly discussed the different glaucoma surgeries he performs and how they can treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. With regular exams with your eye doctor, glaucoma can be caught early, monitored through regular testing, and treated before any irreversible damage occurs.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma complex eye disease that can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to permanent visual field loss. While increased pressure inside the eye can cause this irreversible damage, patients with normal eye pressure can also develop glaucoma.
Image from: Glaucoma Research Foundation: http://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/anatomy-of-the-eye.php
Image from: Glaucoma Research Foundation: http://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/anatomy-of-the-eye.phpThe front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called intraocular fluid or or aqueous humor. This fluid is made by a part of the eye called the ciliary body, and then drains out through the pupil. This drainage system is a meshwork of drainage canals around the outer edge of the iris. Proper drainage helps keep the eye pressure at a normal level. In most types of glaucoma, the eye’s drainage system becomes clogged and the fluid builds up. As the fluid builds, it puts pressure on the optic nerve and causes damage to the fibers. There are several different types of glaucoma, learn about them here.
Treatment Options
The first line of treatment is prescription eye drops that can lower the eye pressure inside the eye to prevent optic nerve damage. If prescription eye drops aren’t enough, there are several laser procedures that can be done depending on the type of glaucoma. There are a couple laser treatments that help clean out this “clogged” drainage system to relieve the pressure inside the eye, while another laser treatment can help make a hole in the iris to create another drainage channel for patients with narrow angle glaucoma.
When a patient with glaucoma needs more than prescription medications and laser treatment, glaucoma surgery is the next step. There are several options that attempt to decrease the eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Some of the options for glaucoma surgery are minimally invasive and target improving the function of the drain inside the eye. Not everyone is a candidate for these procedures, but multiple additional surgical options are available. These typically lower the eye pressure by creating a new way for the fluid to drain inside the eye. The surgeon assesses each individual patient, his/her particular type of glaucoma, how the disease is affecting their vision, and then makes a recommendation on the most effective surgical plan for that patient.
The Kansas City Eye Clinic offers comprehensive eye care with three fellowship trained glaucoma specialists and two practicing glaucoma surgeons:
Carl Migliazzo, M.D.
Sara O’Connell, M.D.
If you wish to make an appointment, please call us at 913.341.3100 or fill out an appointment request here and someone will get back to you to schedule.