Advances in Glaucoma Treatment

According to MedicineNet.com's report on glaucoma, this eye disease is the leading worldwide cause of blindness. Glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans, and roughly 6 million people around the world. Fortunately, advances in glaucoma treatment have mitigated the threat of vision loss.

Eye Pressure

• Eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP), is the most significant associated cause and symptom of glaucoma, since elevated eye pressure threatens to damage the eye's optic nerve, which is responsible for vision, according to MedicineNet.com. Elevated IOP, called ocular hypertension, occurs when the eye's fluids can't drain and refill properly, and cause a buildup in the eye.

Function

• All glaucoma treatments have the ultimate goal of lowering IOP to normal levels. This is achieved by reducing the amount of fluids present in the eye, and/or creating a way to increase drainage.

Laser Treatment

• Advances in laser technology have made a huge impact on glaucoma treatment. Laser trabeculoplasty uses a laser to creates tiny strategic holes in the eye to increase drainage and lower IOP. Trabeculectomy uses lasers to remove part of the eye's drainage system to make a new passageways for fluid release. Trabeculotomy is similar, but involves no tissue removal.

Iridotomy and Iridectomy

• These two glaucoma treatments are for glaucoma fluid blockages that involve the iris. An iridotomy uses a laser to make a hole in the iris in order to unblock drainage passages that are blocked by in this portion of the eye. In an iridectomy (performed on a specific type of glaucoma called narrow-angle glaucoma), a small piece of the iris is surgically removed to allow a better flow of fluid.

Implants and Shunts

• Often used in conjunction with laser surgery, an implant or shunt is an aesthetic drainage system attached to the surface of the eye. The implant has a tiny tube inserted through the hole made during a trabeculectomy, which creates a direct passageway for drainage, bypassing the natural drainage system that is obstructed or damaged.

Nonpenetrating Glaucoma Surgery

• AllAboutVision.com notes that nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery options are less invasive than the aforementioned treatments, and may have fewer risks and complications. A sclerectomy results in a drainage space made by removing tissue in the white (sclera) of the eye. A viscocanalostomy is a newer procedure during which a gel (viscoelastic) is injected that creates adequate space for drainage.