More than 3 million Americans have glaucoma. Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive damage to the optic nerve. This condition affects peripheral vision but is the second most common cause of blindness globally. So don't hesitate to contact an Eye Doctor in Pembroke Pines, FL, for glaucoma screening to help diagnose and treat the condition earlier.
Sometimes medications can’t effectively treat glaucoma, and we might recommend surgery. Glaucoma surgery involves lowering eye pressure to slow down or prevent damage to the optic nerve. Read below for more information about glaucoma surgery.
Glaucoma Treatment
We can treat glaucoma with eye drops, surgery, or laser treatment. Eye drops can drain excess fluid or reduce fluid production in the eye. However, they can cause stinging, redness, blurry vision, or irritation. It’ll help if you tell us about allergies to help minimize the risk of those side effects.
Our optometrist will perform an eye exam and either of the following glaucoma surgeries:
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
MIGS is the latest advance in surgical treatment for glaucoma, using microscopic tools to facilitate minor incision procedures. It provides a safer option to reduce eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP) with the added advantage of faster recovery time and a higher success rate.
Trabeculectomy
A trabeculectomy procedure helps drain fluid out of the eye into a channel under your eye surface. The process creates a trap door for the liquid to bypass the normal drainage channel. As a result, aqueous drainage is enhanced, reducing intraocular pressure. In addition, the lower IOP reduces stress on your optic nerve, which means blindness is less likely to happen.
Aqueous Shunt Insertion
Aqueous shunt insertion is used to treat glaucoma, mainly if trabeculectomy can’t be performed or is unsuccessful. This procedure involves the insertion of a small flexible tube through a tiny opening in your eye wall where the cornea meets the sclera.
The tube helps drain the eye’s fluid to reservoirs attached to the sclera, thus reducing the IOP. Types of glaucoma that require aqueous shunt insertion include neovascular glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and glaucoma caused by an eye injury.
How Do I Find the Best Optometry Near Me?
Hopefully, your search for an “optical center near me” ends here. Our optometrist can design a personalized treatment option. In addition, we offer these glaucoma surgical options to help prevent further vision loss.
Schedule a Consultation for Glaucoma Treatment
Glaucoma can’t be cured, but controlling IOP can prevent further deterioration of your optic nerve. Thanks to The Family Eye Site, thousands of Floridians have received successful glaucoma surgery from our optometrists in Pembroke Pines, FL. Getting the best eye care is crucial if you suspect you have glaucoma. Contact us today at (954) 430-8330 to schedule an appointment!