Glaucoma is a serious disease in which the fluid aqueous humor builds up in the eyes, with the resulting intraocular pressure potentially damaging your optic nerves. To prevent vision loss, detecting the condition and seeking out glaucoma treatment OKC as soon as possible is essential. Glaucoma may be open-angle or angle-closure.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

This is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the fluid in your eyes can not properly drain due to a dysfunction in the natural outflow system. The resulting fluid buildup creates high levels of pressure in the eye. In its early stages, open-angle glaucoma does not typically cause vision loss.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

This type also leads to issues with fluid outflow, with the resulting buildup of aqueous humor increasing pressure in your eyes. However, the outflow issues are related to obstructions, not dysfunction. Angle-closure glaucoma may be chronic (gradual) or acute (sudden); if you have acute angle-closure glaucoma, you should immediately seek medical intervention.

How Glaucoma Treatment OKC Can Help

At this time, there is no cure for glaucoma. However, various procedures and medications can stop its progression. As a result, they slow or prevent the associated vision loss. To ensure you get the help you need before optic nerve damage occurs, it is important to understand the glaucoma risk factors and get eye exams regularly.

The Risk Factors for Glaucoma

While anyone can develop glaucoma, various situations could make you more at risk. Prominent risk factors include:

  • Being 60 years old or older; individuals at this stage, become six times more likely to develop
  • Having diabetes; you are more likely to require glaucoma surgery or another diabetic eye surgery OKC.
  • Family history; open-angle glaucoma is hereditary, making you up to nine times more likely to develop
  • Eye injuries; damage caused in a cataract treatment Oklahoma or other procedure

could cause glaucoma.

It is important to regularly get eye exams to determine whether you could have glaucoma, especially if you are considered at risk.

How Doctors Test for Glaucoma

To detect glaucoma, your eye doctor will conduct various tests that measure eye pressure. These could include a(n):

  • Tonometry test, in which a tonometer measures your inner eye
  • Ophthalmoscopy to examine your optic nerve, retina, and other
  • Perimetry (visual field) test to accurately map the boundaries of your
  • Gonioscopy, so your eye doctor can examine the flow of fluids in your
  • Optical coherence tomography test to measure your eyes' tissue
  • Pachymetry test, in which an ultrasound device measures the eye

Once this is done and your eye doctor has reviewed your eye health and discussed your past surgeries, such as cataract treatment Oklahoma or LASIK, they will recommend your ideal glaucoma treatment.

Effective Glaucoma Treatments

To determine your ideal treatment, your doctor or surgeon will consider your type of glaucoma, its severity, your ability to tolerate medications, and your eye health history. Treatments that can stop the progression of glaucoma include:

Durysta

For this procedure, a Durysta implant is surgically placed in the eye. While there, it gradually releases medicine that safely and effectively lowers intraocular pressure. After approximately six months, it naturally dissolves.

Laser Surgery

A surgeon may suggest a selective laser trabeculoplasty, in which a laser improves drainage by stimulating pigmented cells. They may recommend cyclophotocoagulation. For this, a laser alters fluid-forming cells to produce less aqueous humor, thus reducing buildup.

MIGS

Your ideal treatment could be Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery. Frequently performed MIGS procedures include:

  • Ab-Interno A catheter clears drainage system blockages.
  • A specialized device removes tissues blocking fluid flow.
  • A catheter cuts through maldeveloped tissue, improving flow.
  • CyPass. A surgical device is implanted to improve the outflow pathways.
  • An implant is placed to direct fluids away from any diseased tissues.

Tube Shunts

During this incisional treatment, your surgeon places a flexible tube in your eye. The attached drainage pouch can boost fluid drainage and effectively reduce intraocular pressure.

Additional Treatments

Non-surgical treatments could help slow the progression of your glaucoma. Your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or oral medicine to reduce intraocular pressure, either on their own or in addition to a surgical procedure.

Glaucoma Treatment OKC with BVA

If you are in the Oklahoma City area, the expert doctors and surgeons at BVA can determine the ideal eye care solution for your vision needs. Our staff specializes in a variety of procedures, including glaucoma treatments and other diabetic eye surgery OKC options. Contact us to schedule an appointment.