Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that is caused by a buildup of pressure within the eye. The increase in pressure can damage the optical nerve. This disease is the leading cause of blindness in Americans today.

There are two basic types of glaucoma: primary, or secondary open-angle glaucoma. Either of these types of glaucoma is a candidate for a revolutionary procedure. Laser trabeculoplasty helps to reduce the pressure within the eye and reduce the potential for damaging the optical nerve.
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​​​​​​​How Laser Trabeculoplasty Works

Laser trabeculoplasty targets the drainage tissue within the eye. When the laser therapy is applied to this tissue, it can help to clear any blockage due to a chemical and biological change in that tissue. The increased ability of this tissue to drain the fluid from the eye can reduce pressure over time. This treatment can take between one and three months for the results to appear.

Laser trabeculoplasty can be used as initial treatment, or when other treatments have failed. The effects of this treatment generally last patients between one to five years before additional treatment is needed. Effects that don’t last for at least a year are considered an unsuccessful treatment.

Sometimes, our staff may choose to treat half of the tissue on your first laser treatment, and then treat the remaining tissue at a later date. This is not considered a repeat treatment, and the second treatment will complete the procedure. This can help to increase the length of effectiveness of your treatment and may be beneficial for some patients.

If your initial treatment was successful, but the glaucoma returns, you can still be a candidate for additional treatments. However, as the number of treatments increases, patients often see a decline in their results.

The Cost of Laser Trabeculoplasty

Costs per patient can vary widely depending on the severity of glaucoma and how the treatment plan is carried out. However, laser trabeculoplasty is often covered by insurance because it is seen as a glaucoma treatment. The procedure is FDA approved and covered by Medicare. If you think that you may be a candidate for laser trabeculoplasty, contact our offices today. Our professional staff at Quality Eye Care can work with you and your insurance to check your benefits.

Using Medications with Laser Trabeculoplasty

Many of our patients want to know if they will still need to use their medications after laser trabeculoplasty. This is evaluated on a patient by patient basis. One of the biggest benefits of this procedure is that it doesn’t eliminate medications from being used. This means that in cases that are particularly difficult or advanced, a two-pronged approach can give you the best chances to reduce the pressure on your eyes and protect your eyesight for the future.

Overview

If you have glaucoma, contact Quality Eye Care today. Our staff has the experience and education when working with glaucoma. Laser trabeculoplasty is one of the many services that we provide to ensure that you have great vision. This procedure helps to treat the tissue that is responsible for draining fluid from your eyes and reduces intraocular pressure. While laser trabeculoplasty does not last forever, it can last for five years or longer, and be repeated when necessary. Call our offices to schedule a consultation today!