Edison, NJ | Kendall Park, NJ

Glaucoma Treatment Edison

What is Glaucoma?

glaucoma Patel Eye Associates New JerseyGlaucoma is a very serious condition that is marked by an excess build-up of pressure on the inside of a patient’s eye. Also commonly referred to as intraocular pressure, glaucoma can easily damage a person’s optic nerve if left unchecked for a long period of time. In addition to visual impairment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. Statistically speaking, it is actually the second leading cause of blindness among United States citizens.

Often, glaucoma is referred to as “the silent thief of sight” because very few symptoms are present until damage to the optic nerve results in noticeable vision loss. Therefore, it is crucial that you go for regular glaucoma screenings at least once every two years once you reach the age of 40.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two primary types of glaucoma:

  • Primary open-angle glaucoma – This is the most common form of glaucoma. It occurs when fluid in the eye does not flow properly through the eye’s drainage channel.
  • Acute angle-closure glaucoma – This condition causes a sudden buildup of pressure in the eye. It occurs when drainage is impacted by the angle between the iris and cornea being too narrow, or when the pupil opens too wide, preventing fluid from flowing through the drainage channel.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

People suffering from the effects of glaucoma should watch out for a number of different warning signs, including but not limited to things like the following:

    • The gradual loss of vision, starting with peripheral vision
    • Severe pain in and around a person’s eye
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Blurry vision
    • ​Redness of the eye

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Generally, you will not experience any symptoms until your condition has become serious enough to impact your vision. This is particularly true in cases of primary open-angle glaucoma.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist immediately. By delaying treatment, you risk permanent eye damage.

I’m very pleased with all the staff at Doctor Patel Eye Care and am so grateful that we have these quality providers so near to home. Everyone was very nice, and it is nice to be treated well since you are the patient in need of help. Caring, smiling and laughing is good atmosphere for patient. I was very well taken care for my eye surgery. And I recommend everyone to come to Dr Patel.

Treatment for Glaucoma

As an Edison ophthalmologist, Dr. Hitesh Patel is dedicated to addressing the specific circumstances of each patient and recommending the form of treatment that will provide the deepest level of care for the person involved. Dr. Patel and his dedicated team of professionals use a variety of different techniques to address the issues present with glaucoma patients, including things like the following:

One of the primary forms of treatment that Dr. Patel is experienced with is called selective laser trabeculoplasty, which is a type of laser surgery that is specifically used to lower the intraocular pressure in the affected eye. Selective laser trabeculoplasty is an ideal course of action when standard eye drop medications are not effectively lowering eye pressure (as is common in more advanced cases), or when other forms of treatment are producing side effects that the patient no longer wishes to deal with. Patients with open-angle glaucoma are ideal for this type of treatment.

With selective laser trabeculoplasty, a laser is applied to the tissue in the eye, which begins both a chemical and biological change. Fluid is then drained from the eye, relieving the pressure in one fell swoop.

Dr. Patel also uses migs eye stents for glaucoma as an excellent way to relieve pressure in an effective person, which may be ideal for someone who is not a candidate for selective laser trabeculoplasty.

Depending on the severity of your condition,  Edison ophthalmologist,  Dr. Hitesh K. Patel may recommend one of the following treatments:

  • Eye drops
  • Laser surgery
  • Trabeculectomy
  • Drainage implants

Dr. Patel also regularly performs endoscopic laser photocoagulation, a procedure which enables him to treat cataracts and glaucoma at the same time.

iStent Glaucoma

The iStent  Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent is a revolutionary device that is incredibly effective at treating the symptoms of glaucoma, particularly mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma. The iStent implant offers a number of benefits and is both safe and incredibly effective.

The iStent implant is designed to create a permanent opening in the eye’s natural drainage system. This counteracts the clogging caused by glaucoma. One of the benefits of the iStent implant is that it can be inserted at the same time as cataract surgery. The design of the iStent also increases the eye’s ability to drain fluid which helps to reduce pressure and prevent damage and loss of vision in the eyes.

The iStent glaucoma procedure is an outpatient procedure and you will be able to return home after your procedure. The eye may need to be covered for a day or so. anti-inflammatory drops and antibiotics will be prescribed. The recovery time is fairly quick and you will have scheduled check-up appointments throughout.

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

Please contact our Edison ophthalmologists today to schedule yourglaucoma screening. Patel Eye Associates serves patients in Edison, New Brunswick, and Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Questions about Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition caused by intraocular pressure, or a buildup of fluid inside the eye. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness among Americans.

What causes glaucoma?

The eye is filled with aqueous humor, the clear fluid in the front of the eye, and vitreous humor, a clear, jelly-like substance behind the lens which helps the eyeball retain its shape. In a normal eye, circulation and drainage occurs regularly through tiny channels that work much like a filtration system. If these channels become blocked, drainage ceases, and pressure builds up within the eye, causing the condition known as glaucoma. While glaucoma can be hereditary, you will not necessarily inherit the condition. Learn more about glaucoma risk factors.

Do different types of glaucoma exist?

Two types of glaucoma exist. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type, occurring when fluid in the eye cannot drain properly. Acute angle-closure glaucoma occurs when normal fluid drainage cannot occur because the angle between the iris and the cornea is too narrow or the pupil opens too wide.

Why is glaucoma a serious condition?

Over time, this intraocular pressure may damage the delicate optic nerve responsible for transmitting images to the brain. If glaucoma is not treated promptly, it may lead to permanent vision loss.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma may cause no symptoms at all in the early stages, or symptoms may be so mild you may not seek treatment. In some cases, glaucoma is first noted during a routine eye exam. In other cases, damage to the optic nerve and significant vision changes are your first clue something may be wrong. Other symptoms might include gradual loss of peripheral vision, severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, ‘halos’ around lights, and eye redness. These symptoms do not automatically indicate glaucoma. Therefore, a prompt and thorough eye examination is needed to make a correct diagnosis.

How can I prevent glaucoma?

Preventive steps include regular glaucoma screenings at least once every two years after age 40. Moderate exercise has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure. If you engage in sports, home improvement projects, or similar activities, wear protective eyewear.

What are my glaucoma treatment options?

Treatment depends largely on the severity of your condition. Eye doctors in New Jersey, Dr. Hitesh K. Patel and Dr. Himanshu S. Shah may recommend special eye drops, laser vision surgery, trabeculectomy, or drainage implants. Trabeculectomy is an outpatient surgical procedure which relieves intraocular pressure by removing part of the eye’s tissue located near the ciliary body, the structure responsible for draining fluid from the eye. Drainage implants also reduce intraocular pressure. Dr. Patel and Dr. Shah may choose to perform endoscopic laser photocoagulation, a procedure to treat glaucoma and cataracts.

Please contact our LASIK eye surgeons in New Jersey today to schedule your initial vision correction consultation.

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