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Components of a
New Patient Glaucoma Exam
- Vision
- Slit-lamp biomicroscope and usually a dilated exam examines the front part of the eye (narrow angles and untreated angle-closure are exceptions)
- Intraocular pressure measurement
- Gonioscopy- evaluates the internal drainage system of the eye
- Pachymetry- measurement of corneal thickness
- Fundus exam - detailed exam of the optic nerve and a retinal exam
- Visual field - assesses the peripheral or side vision
- Optic nerve imaging- HRT, OCT and/or stereo photographs
- Medication/eyedrops
- Laser
- Surgery
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Please note: our practice does not perform refractions (exam for eyeglasses)
Laser
- Laser iridotomy - in the upper part of the iris (colored part of the eye) under the eyelid to treat narrow angles and angle-closure
- ALT- uses an argon laser to mechanically open up the drainage spaces in the trabecular meshwork
- SLT- uses a frequency-doubled YAG laser to open up the drainage spaces in the trabecular meshwork by using the body's own immune cells to remove the debris in the trabecular meshwork (more info)
- Diode cyclophotocoagulation-uses a diode laser to reduce the fluid production of the eye; most commonly used in eyes with poor vision
Surgery
- Trabeculectomy (View Diagram)
- Also called filtering surgery
- The most common form of surgery for glaucoma, highly successful in routine patients
- Outpatient, done under local anesthesia
- Creates a new drain out of the wall of the eye under the upper lid, covered by the conjunctiva (skin of the eye), bypassing the existing clogged drainage system
- No foreign material is implanted
- May not last a lifetime and may need to be supplemented with eye drops or to be repeated in the future
- Your doctor can discuss your individual risks and benefits with you
- Combined cataract extraction and trabeculectomy
- Tube shunt - Baerveldt or Ahmed
- Cataract surgery*
* Please Note: We only perform cataract surgery in patients having a diagnosis on the glaucoma spectrum.
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