glaucoma doctors los angeles

Glaucoma Treatments (Click here for SPANISH version)

Open angle glaucoma Open angle glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by lowering the pressure in the eye, with the use of eyedrops, laser or surgery.

In most cases, if medications are successful in controlling the eye pressure, they will be continued for the rest of the patient's life, and regular use according to your physician's instructions is absolutely necessary to maintain control of the disease.

An argon laser trabeculoplasty is an effective treatment that can often help to lower eye pressures for several years when eyedrops are not enough. The offices of the East West Eye Institute are equipped with in-house argon lasers so necessary treatment is quick, effective and relatively painless. Most patients return to full activity with no restrictions immediately after their treatment.

If medications and/or laser do not provide adequate control of the condition, a surgical procedure known as a trabeculectomy may be necessary. You can be assured that our doctors have performed thousands of such operations, and we will put this vast experience to use to help you should the need arise.

Narrow angle glaucoma Fortunately, most eyes with narrow angles that are at risk for angle closure can be identified by an eye examination. To prevent an attack of angle closure, a laser peripheral iridotomy may be recommended. With this procedure, a laser is used to create a tiny hole in your iris near the drainage angle, effectively preventing any chance for blockage of the angle to occur. This eliminates the risk of angle closure glaucoma for most narrow angle patients. The procedure is relatively painless and can be done in the office, and usually takes just a few minutes to perform.

Side effects of a laser peripheral iridotomy are generally mild but may include increased glare and rarely double vision. A pressure “spike” can sometimes occur immediately after the procedure. This can usually be controlled in the office by the use of eyedrops. On rare occasions, the iridotomy created by the laser may close, requiring a repeat laser procedure to reopen this tiny hole.

The eye doctors at the East West Eye Institute want you to know that glaucoma is a potentially serious eye disease and that we have the expertise to diagnose and manage all forms of this potentially sight threatening condition.

Medications

Medical technology can often times bring miracles. Glaucoma is usually treated with daily eye drops that decrease eye pressure either by slowing the amount of fluid produced within the eye or by improving the flow through the drainage angle. Glaucoma medications may produce side effects, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Surgery

In a standard, operating room procedure, your doctor can also use fine, microsurgical instruments to create a new drainage channel for outflow of aqueous fluid. Though serious complications of modern glaucoma surgery are uncommon, they can occur. Surgery is recommended if your ophthalmologist feels that it is necessary to prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

Trabeculectomy

Trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure performed by an ophthalmologist used to lower eye pressure. By trying to lower the eye pressure damage can be halted from further pressure increases but that damage already done is not reversible.

The trabeculectomy procedure involves the surgeon creating a tiny passageway from the inside to the outside of your eye. This helps fluid drain better from the areas it is presently not draining. A trabeculectomy can lower the pressure in your eye and help prevent more damage to the optic nerve. Trabeculectomy is more commonly used after other treatment options have not been successful or are simply not stopping the increasing IOP. (Intraocular Pressure)

• Medicines do not work as planned
• Laser surgery to lower the eye pressure has not worked

Glaucoma Shunt

A Glaucoma Shunt is a drainage device, also known as tube shunts. These shunts are implanted into the eye and are intended to assist with drainage. They create a drainage passage for fluid. This procedure is sometimes chosen for individuals at a high risk of failure with the more common traditional glaucoma procedure known as (trabeculectomy).

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery treatments may be recommended for certain types of glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma, a laser can be used to modify the drain to help control eye pressure.

In angle-closure glaucoma, the laser can be used to create a hole in the iris to improve the flow of aqueous to the drainage angle.

COSMETIC PROCEDURES