Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness across the United States. This degenerative disease impacts a patient’s ability to see by damaging his or her optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. When damage to optic nerve fibers occurs, it leads to the development of blind spots, which can eventually result in total blindness in the event the entire optic nerve has been destroyed.
Thankfully, modern technology has provided a simple and effective solution to this problem. Read on to find out more about Glaucoma Laser Treatment in Green Bay WI and how it can prevent patients suffering from Glaucoma from going blind.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
This form of laser treatment is used primarily for treating open-angle glaucoma. It uses low-level lasers to selectively treat specific cells, leaving healthy areas of the patient’s trabecular meshwork intact. This procedure can safely be performed multiple times as needed and provides a better alternative for patients who have not responded to ALT or pressure-lowering drops.
Effects of Treatment
This laser treatment allows the drains in patients’ eyes to work more effectively, which can lower overall eye pressure and prevent nerve damage. Most patients who have successfully undergone selective laser trabeculoplasty must continue to use eye drops on a long-term basis to maintain safe intraocular pressure. Over time, they may also have to return for additional treatment, as eye pressure typically begins to rise again within five years.
What to Expect
This type of advanced laser surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure, as it takes only two to three minutes to complete and does not require general anesthesia. Patients’ eyes will be numbed using anesthetic eye drops, and they will then be instructed to sit at an examining microscope. They will then experience a brief flash of light, which may be alarming but will not be painful.
Although patients tend to experience blurring of their vision immediately after this treatment has been performed, they can expect their sight to clear within just a few hours. While most patients can return to normal daily activities just one day later, it’s important to recognize that full effects will not be noticed until several weeks after Glaucoma Laser Treatment in Green Bay WI has been performed. Find more information about this advanced laser surgery online today to get started.
