Is Glaucoma Treatable?
Because many types of glaucoma exist, treatments may vary between individuals depending on the type of glaucoma and other factors, including one’s general health and wellness. Through early detection, diagnosis, and effective treatment, you and your doctor can help to preserve your vision.
Most patients are adequately managed with eye drops, but some may require laser treatment or incisional eye surgery. See below for some additional treatment options offered at Florida Eye Specialists.
Glaucoma Treatment Options
Medicated Eye Drops
First-line treatment that works to improve how fluid flows through the eye and, in turn, reduces intraocular pressure. Many patients require more than one eye-drop prescription to manage fluctuating eye pressure.
For patients who struggle with the inconvenience of prescription eye drops or the challenges of putting them in the eye, implant-based options offer an alternative. The iDose TR is the first and only FDA-approved fixed implant designed to continuously release prescription medication directly into the eye, helping to reduce high eye pressure and eliminating the need for daily eye drops.
Laser Treatment (SLT)
A simple, highly effective laser procedure used to lower intraocular pressure in the eye. Performed in the office, the treatment typically takes about five minutes. SLT uses short pulses of low-energy light to target specific pigmented cells in the eye’s drainage system, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. Some patients can have their eye pressure controlled with SLT alone, either reducing or eliminating the need for eye drops. The procedure is painless, requires no downtime, and has minimal risk of side effects.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
A group of procedures designed to lower eye pressure using very small incisions. These treatments offer a safer, less invasive alternative to traditional glaucoma surgery, typically with a faster recovery and the potential to reduce patient reliance on daily medications. As an added benefit, MIGS is often combined with cataract surgery, allowing patients to improve their vision while better managing their glaucoma in a single treatment session.
Traditional Glaucoma Surgery
For patients with more advanced glaucoma, procedures such as trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery may be recommended. These surgeries create a new drainage pathway to lower intraocular pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage. While glaucoma damage cannot be reversed, reducing pressure can help prevent additional vision loss. Traditional glaucoma surgery is highly effective, but also technique-dependent, requiring the expertise of an experienced, fellowship-trained surgeon. Long-term success relies on post-operative care and ongoing management.
Cataract Surgery as Glaucoma Treatment
In some patients, especially those with angle-closure glaucoma, cataract surgery can help lower eye pressure and improve fluid drainage within the eye. As the eye’s natural lens thickens over time, it can narrow the drainage angle and contribute to fluid build-up within the eye. Removing the thickened lens and replacing it with a thin artificial lens creates more space inside the eye, helping improve fluid drainage and reduce pressure. As a result, some patients may need fewer glaucoma medications or experience more stable eye pressure readings after surgery.
The XEN Gel Stent: New Glaucoma Treatment Now Available
The newest glaucoma treatment option, this minimally invasive surgical implant is designed to lower high eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma patients who haven’t seen success with previous surgical treatments or medications. During the procedure, a tiny, flexible tube is inserted just beneath the eye’s surface, allowing fluid to drain more effectively.
It allows us to treat patients with moderate to severe glaucoma with less risk and a much faster recovery time than the traditional trabeculectomy or tube shunt. The incision is small and self-healing, so it typically doesn’t require any stitches. This dramatically reduces patients’ recovery time, with many returning to normal activities the next day.
Treating Glaucoma: Next Steps
Florida Eye Specialists is proud to offer thorough, comprehensive glaucoma eye care in the Jacksonville, Florida area. If you are a patient who has struggled with glaucoma eye disease and would like a second opinion, our doctors can provide a thorough diagnosis and create a treatment protocol tailored to your needs. We want to ensure you receive the best possible treatment to prevent vision loss.