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Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a common eye disease that affects millions of Americans. There are several varieties of glaucoma, but in general, they all involve deterioration of the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. This leads to peripheral vision loss initially, but can eventually cause total vision loss if left untreated. The cause of glaucoma is unknown but it is typically associated with abnormally high intraocular pressure, although the eye pressure can be normal is some patients. Treatment is mainly aimed at lowering the eye pressure and can include various eye drops, laser therapy (such as SLT, ALT, and ECP laser), and even surgical intervention (such as trabeculectomy and/or tube-shunt surgery) when necessary. With timely and appropriate treatment, the majority of patient can maintain excellent vision with minimal loss.
At Zion Eye Institute, our team of expert doctors and surgeons can diagnose and treat all forms of glaucoma. Also, we have Southern Utah’s most experienced glaucoma specialist who is highly skilled with all of the most advanced techniques to treat glaucoma.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a revolutionary new laser treatment for glaucoma. The Zion Eye Institute is the first and only office in Southern Utah to have an in-house SLT laser for glaucoma. Unlike previous laser treatments for glaucoma, such as argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), the SLT laser does not cause scaring or damage to the drainage structures inside the eye. Clinical studies have shown SLT to be extremely safe, comfortable, and effective for lowering eye pressure associated with glaucoma. Many patients are able to decrease or eliminate the need for glaucoma eye drops after having SLT. The procedure only takes a few minutes to perform in the office and one laser treatment can remain effective for 3-5 years. Because there is no scaring, the treatment can be repeated as necessary.
Call the Zion Eye Institute office today to schedule a consultation with one of our expert doctors. We also offer attractive financing options for all of our vision correction procedures. Call today (435) 656-2020 or toll free (877) 841-2020.
Request AppointmentEndo-cyclo-photo-coagulation (ECP)
New Laser Treatment For Glaucoma Now Available in St. George
The Zion Eye Institute is introducing a new, advanced laser treatment for glaucoma. This new treatment is minimally invasive and takes only a few minutes to perform. With this advanced technology, we can reduce or possibly eliminate the need for eye drops in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma, and also treat patients who have more advanced glaucoma who have failed previous attempted surgical procedures.
Glaucoma is a condition of the eye that slowly causes damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that connects the eyeball to the brain, and can lead to blindness. In fact, glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It is estimated that over 4 million Americans have glaucoma, but because there are no symptoms, many people don’t know they have it. It is important to get regular eye exams to check for glaucoma, especially if you have any risk factors, including family history of glaucoma, age over 60, diabetes, high blood pressure, and African-American, Asian, or Hispanic heritage.
Glaucoma is usually associated with higher than normal eye pressure, and the treatment of glaucoma is aimed at lowering eye pressure. Most commonly, when someone is diagnosed with glaucoma, they are prescribed eye drops to take for the rest of their lives to help control the eye pressure and prevent vision loss. Often, patients need to take multiple drops and these eye drops can be expensive, difficult to take, or irritating to the eye.
This new laser treatment, called Endo-cyclo-photo-coagulation, or ECP, can be easily performed in just a few minutes and is covered by medical insurance. It involves using a miniature endoscopic camera placed inside the eye to view the area that produces the fluid inside the eye. This area is then directly treated with a laser which decreases the production of fluid in the eye, and leads to decreased eye pressure. Several studies have shown that after treatment, most patients reduced or even eliminated their need to take eye drops.
We are excited to add this state-of-the-art technology to our glaucoma surgical service in St. George. If you have glaucoma, call our office today for a consultation to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
