Eye office myths are common, and a wide variety exists—from the feeling of receiving too many tests to thinking that all catar…
About 4.2 million people in the United States have glaucoma. Within that group, 1.5 million people experience significant vision loss. Curious about treatments for glaucoma and which one may be the best fit for you? Medicated eye drops used to be considered the first treatment option. But now other options like laser therapy are considered first-line.
Whether you’re a suitable candidate for laser therapy depends on the type of glaucoma that you have. In the United States, about 80% of glaucoma patients have open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma involves a clogged drainage system in your eye.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses cold laser energy to open the drainage system in your eye. This helps fluids drain more, slowing the progression of glaucoma. The procedure itself takes less than five minutes. In many studies, researchers found that SLT was more effective than eye drops in slowing the spread of open-angle glaucoma. So, for some patients with open-angle glaucoma, SLT may lead to significant vision benefits.
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Curious about the effectiveness of SLT over time? Researchers collected data from over 700 eyes of the same patients in the previous study. The researchers selected one eye per patient. They then recorded several vision measurements spanning at least 6 months.
The researchers calculated how far a patient's vision loss from glaucoma differs from the normal vision range for their age. They found that six years after treatment, the vision loss was more pronounced for patients first treated with drops than with SLT. This result is significant among patients with a mild level of open-angle glaucoma. So, for most patients with open-angle glaucoma, SLT-first treatment may prevent more vision loss.
It is important to consult with your eye doctor to determine the best glaucoma treatment for you. Some patients may not be able to tolerate certain glaucoma medications, making SLT a better fit. In other cases, glaucoma medications may be a necessary supplement after SLT.
Known as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can have symptoms that may not be noticeable at first. If the disease progresses without treatment, you may experience permanent vision loss. With comprehensive eye exams, your eye doctor can monitor risk factors and detect glaucoma early on. Early detection can help you get the treatment you need to preserve your vision.
At Mittleman Eye, our team offers comprehensive eye exams and a variety of glaucoma treatments, such as laser therapy, eye drops, and surgery.
Interested in learning more? Check out our social media! We have a video of our doctors here at Mittleman Eye debunking some common myths about glaucoma:
Need to schedule an eye exam and/or a consultation to discuss glaucoma treatments? The team at Mittleman Eye is here to help! The Jupiter and West Palm Beach offices allow you to get the care you need at the location most convenient for you. Text or call us at 561-500-2020, or go online to mittlemaneye.com/appointment-request.
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