Glaucoma Testing
- Tonometry – Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement.
- Ophthalmoscopy – Examination of the optic nerve through a dilated pupil which may be performed using special instruments or a high magnification lens at the Slit Lamp Biomicroscope.
- Visual Field Perimetry – A computerized examination to plot an actual map of the field of your vision.
- Gonioscopy – Direct examination of the drainage structures of your eye called “trabecular meshwork” – using a specialized contact lens at the Slit Lamp Biomicroscope.
- Computerized Imaging of Optic Nerve & Fibers – OCT uses a method called “optical coherence tomography” to create digital images with beams of light to examine the optic nerve and measure the retinal nerve fiber thickness.
- Pachymetry Measurement of Corneal Thickness
From this testing, we will be able to make a diagnosis and recommendations for additional visits and treatment as required. We will be sure to answer all questions you may have and help you understand your treatment options and how we will work together to help maintain your eye health & vision.
Glaucoma Treatment
Medical Treatment of Glaucoma
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma can initially be treated with eye drops and/or an in-office laser treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). By using one or two types of glaucoma eye drops most patients can achieve stable and lowered eye pressure. Some patients are unable to achieve adequate control with eye drops alone or may experience intolerable side effects from the eye drops, and do better with the office glaucoma laser treatment to maintain control as the first choice of treatment.
Laser Treatment of Glaucoma
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a type of glaucoma laser treatment for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma that helps to reduce the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) by creating more effective drainage of fluid through the trabecular meshwork. We perform this painless procedure in the comfort of our office and often patients can obtain good stability and also reduce the number or frequency of eye drops they need to use. Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is a type of glaucoma laser treatment for Angle Closure Glaucoma that creates a hole on the outer edge, or rim, of the iris, the colored part of the eye which allows the aqueous humor fluid to easily flow between the anterior chamber, the front part of the eye, and the area behind the iris, the posterior chamber. This is performed for patients with narrow chamber angles or those patients experiencing angle closure to prevent sudden buildup of pressure within the eye, which occurs during an episode of acute closed-angle glaucoma.
Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma
Even with the maximum eye drop medical therapy and glaucoma laser treatment, for some patients, it is still not possible to achieve good stable control of their disease and stop the progression of vision loss. We can perform Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) for most patients. Sometimes traditional glaucoma surgery may be an option and may include removing a tiny piece of the trabecular meshwork-called Trabeculectomy or a MIGS procedure called GATT (Gonioscopy Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy) might be recommended. Today, we can implant microscopic tubes, shunts, valves, or stents such as the iStent® or Hydrus MicroStent for cataract patients or with microsurgical techniques including Kahook Dual Blade® (KDB) Goniotomy that enables precise excision of diseased trabecular meshwork tissue, and OMNI Canaloplasty Glaucoma Surgery which can be performed for patients needing glaucoma surgery combined with cataract surgery as well as those only requiring glaucoma surgery.