January 2019 Newsletter
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that has no symptoms. Everyone is at risk to get it, and there is no known cure. However, if caught early enough through regular eye examinations treatment can be started to help reduce the risk of further vision loss.
This chronic eye disease can be treated by using eye drops or pills. Surgery may also be done to help decrease the pressure inside the eye and prevent further visual loss. Eye drops are usually the first step, followed by surgery to drain the fluid that has accumulated behind the eye.
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month
In This Issue
What is Glaucoma?
African Americans & Glaucoma
Glaucoma Screening
Glaucoma Surgery
Contact Us
2311 W. Hayes Ave,
Fremont
Ohio 43420
(419) 334 8121
622 Parkway Drive,
Fostoria
Ohio 44830
(419) 435 3482
Glaucoma Screening
Have you put off a vision exam because your eyesight “seems fine”?
Maybe you’ve never worried about glaucoma because “I’m too young”?
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness.
In the early stages, it usually has no symptoms. Yet it is essential to catch glaucoma early for the best chance of successful treatment.
Glaucoma can strike as early as age 40.
Here’s the good news: glaucoma can be treated successfully, if it’s caught early
For more information on Glaucoma Surgery
Courtesy: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH)
Glaucoma Surgery
Laser Trabeculoplasty
Glaucoma is a term for a group of chronic medical eye conditions where there is continued, progressive damage to the optic nerve (the connection between the eye and the brain). Uncontrolled glaucoma ultimately leads to permanent vision loss. Laser trabeculoplasty is a type of laser eye surgery intended to help lower intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Many patients, regardless of type and severity of glaucoma, may be great candidates for glaucoma laser surgery. The procedure is especially ideal for patients in who eye drop administration is difficult, such as patients with severe arthritis or patients with difficulty in self-administration of eye drops.
The procedure consists of stimulating the “drain network” of the eye to work better; properly performed, it has a very low complication rate. Perhaps the most attractive feature is that it may help with 24-hour eye pressure control that is independent of medication administration. It is not a permanent substitute for glaucoma treatment, but it may be a very useful adjuvant to maximizing your active lifestyle.
Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
The latest advances in the surgical treatment of mild- to moderate- open angle glaucoma are being practiced here at the Eye Centers of Northwest Ohio. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery involves the implantation of a tiny titanium implant into the ‘drain’ of the eye to help facilitate the outflow of aqueous humor, the fluid made and drained by our eyes. This implant is the Glaukos iStent, and is the smallest implant utilized in human medicine to date. This procedure is done in conjunction with the cataract surgery to help lessen the burden and potential need for glaucoma medication to allow for more independence after eye surgery. Speak with any of our eye care professionals to see if you are an ideal candidate for this medically-covered iStent implantation.
