Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. The extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old. But blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment.

Glaucoma damage is permanent; it cannot be reversed. But medicine and surgery help to stop further damage. Glaucoma is usually controlled with eyedrop medicine. These eye drops, used every day, help lower eye pressure. Some drops reduce the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes, and others reduce pressure by helping fluid flow better through the drainage angle. There are two types of laser surgery to treat glaucoma. They help aqueous drain from the eye. Trabeculoplasty surgery is for people who have open-angle glaucoma. Iridotomy surgery is for people who have angle-closure glaucoma. Trabeculectomy is when the eye surgeon creates a tiny flap in the sclera and a bubble-like pocket in the conjunctiva so the aqueous humor can drain out of the eye. Glaucoma drainage devices can also be used.

Treatment for glaucoma is between you and your doctor. It is up to you to follow the doctor’s instructions. If you have any questions speak to Mid Coast Vision Care.

At Mid Coast Vision Care, the health of your eyes is our top priority. We perform careful exams and ancillary testing to evaluate the condition of your eyes and prescribe personalized care. Experience personalized eye care at our Belfast and Rockland offices.