Glaucoma occurs when the fluid in your eyes cannot drain properly, resulting in an increased pressure inside the eye. This increase in pressure can cause severe damage to the optic nerve, which can result in permanent vision loss. There is no cure for glaucoma. However, our eye doctors at Kozlovsky Delay & Winter Eye Consultants in San Antonio, Texas offers treatment for glaucoma to help the fluid drain correctly, keeping the eye pressure down.
Types of Glaucoma
There are two types of glaucoma:
- Open-Angle Glaucoma: This occurs when the fluid in your eye drains slowly, but the structure of the drain appears to be normal. Since the fluid cannot drain quickly enough, the pressure in your eyes increases.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This happens when the drainage system in the eyes become completely clogged, resulting in a rapid increase in eye pressure.
Glaucoma Treatment
There are a few effective treatment methods that can help slow the progression of glaucoma. The treatment that our optometrists or ophthalmologists choose would depend on the type of glaucoma that you have and the severity of your condition.
- Eye Drops: Eye drops are often used in the early stages of glaucoma, and can reduce the pressure in your eye.
- Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT): This treats open-angle glaucoma. Our eye doctors would use a laser to open the trabecular meshwork to drain the fluids out of the eye.
- Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI): This is an effective treatment for angle-closure glaucoma. Our doctors will use a laser to make an opening in the iris. This allows the fluid to bypass the normal route, and drain directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.
- Trabeculectomy: If eye drops and laser surgery don't work, this type of eye surgery is an option. During the procedure, our eye doctors would make a tiny incision in the white of your eye, which can help the fluid to drain.
If you have glaucoma, getting it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible is essential to your vision and health. Call (210)-377-0350 to schedule an appointment with our optometrists or ophthalmologists at Kozlovsky Delay & Winter Eye Consultants in San Antonio today.