Glaucoma Care

Glaucoma is the second leading causing of blindness in adults. The condition refers to a group of eye diseases that leads to increased pressure within the eye, resulting in optic nerve damage. The underlying cause of glaucoma is unknown, but regular eye exams can lead to early detection and treatment, which often prevents loss of sight. Glaucoma symptoms vary depending on the type of glaucoma a patient is experiencing, but some common symptoms include:

• Painless loss of side vision or blind spots
• Severe eye pain, red eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and nausea
• Blurry vision and discomfort accompanied by intermittent angle closure
• Most patients have no symptoms.

Treatments

Glaucoma treatments will vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. Eye drops are often used to lower intraocular pressure, but medication usage is often a problem due to the high cost of medications.

Another option for the treatment of glaucoma is laser surgery. A laser can be used to improve fluid drainage by creating a new drainage path. At Georgia Center for Sight, our physician uses an advanced laser that was developed especially for the treatment of glaucoma, called SLT. With SLT laser, the procedure takes less than a minute and is typically described as painless, requiring only a drop for anesthesia.

Following treatment with the SLT laser, patients experience significant improvement in eye pressure. Their dependence on glaucoma medications can be lessened, or in some cases eliminated. Patients can return to normal activity immediately following treatment.

For more information on the use of lasers to treat glaucoma, contact us today at 888-237-2583.