Specialist Glaucoma Treatment Brisbane
Protect your vision with expert glaucoma treatment that helps slow vision loss and supports your long-term eye health.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, the vital link between the eye and the brain. This damage is often due to increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). If not treated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. All types of glaucoma damage the optic nerve, which slowly takes away vision.
Types of Glaucoma
Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type. In this condition, the drainage area in the eye stays open, but the tiny channels that help drain fluid become partly blocked, causing a slow increase in eye pressure.
Angle-closure Glaucoma: occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle, causing a sudden rise in eye pressure. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Normal-tension Glaucoma: Some people experience optic nerve damage even with normal eye pressure. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it may be related to poor blood flow to the optic nerve.
Secondary Glaucoma: This type results from another medical condition, such as an eye injury, inflammation, or a tumour, that increases eye pressure.
Treatment Options for Glaucoma
Managing Glaucoma with Medications
Managing glaucoma often starts with medications designed to lower eye pressure. The most common are eye drops, which help reduce fluid production within the eye or increase its outflow. These drops are an effective first line of treatment and must be used regularly as prescribed to maintain stable eye pressure. In some cases, oral medications may also be recommended to decrease eye pressure further.
Advanced Treatment Options
If medications aren't enough to control glaucoma, several advanced treatments are available:
Laser Therapy: A minimally invasive option to improve fluid drainage or reduce fluid production in the eye. Common types include:
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): This procedure targets specific cells in the eye to enhance fluid drainage. It is often used for open-angle glaucoma.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy: Typically used for angle-closure glaucoma, this creates a small hole in the iris to improve fluid flow.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): A newer and less invasive surgical option that reduces eye pressure with fewer risks and a quicker recovery time than traditional surgery.
Traditional Surgery: When other treatments aren’t sufficient, procedures like trabeculectomy may be needed. This surgery creates a new drainage path to lower eye pressure.
Microstents in Glaucoma Treatment
A New Approach with Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Glaucoma treatment has significantly evolved over the years. With modern advancements, eye care professionals can now diagnose and manage this progressive disease more effectively.
The primary aim of glaucoma treatment has always been to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and slow down the progression of the disease.
One of the latest breakthroughs in this field is Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), which is rapidly becoming a preferred method for treating mild-to-moderate glaucoma.
The Role of iStent Inject® in Glaucoma Management
Developing trabecular micro-bypass technologies, such as the iStent inject®, represents a significant innovation in glaucoma care. MIGS procedures like the iStent inject® are designed to improve fluid outflow from the eye, thereby reducing IOP. This minimally invasive approach is known for its safety, low risk of complications, and quick recovery times, making it an attractive option for patients.
The iStent inject® can be used either during cataract surgery or as a standalone procedure to manage primary open-angle glaucoma. Many patients have experienced reduced reliance on glaucoma medications following the implantation of iStent inject®. Studies have shown that the majority of patients using iStent inject® were either medication-free or required only minimal medication within 18 months post-procedure.
Benefits of iStent Inject®
The iStent inject® offers several advantages for glaucoma patients:
Minimally Invasive: The procedure is gentle on the eye's delicate tissues, minimising trauma.
Effective IOP Reduction: Helps maintain normal eye pressure by enhancing natural fluid drainage.
Quick Recovery: Patients typically experience a fast recovery time, allowing them to return to their daily activities sooner.
Improved Quality of Life: By potentially reducing or eliminating the need for daily medications, iStent inject® can simplify glaucoma management.
How iStent Inject® Works
The iStent inject® is a tiny medical implant designed to restore the eye’s natural ability to drain fluid, thus lowering intraocular pressure. Suitable for patients with mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma, the implant can be placed with or without cataract surgery. Once inserted, patients do not see or feel the device, but it works continuously to regulate eye pressure.
The device is implanted in the trabecular meshwork, acting as a stent to facilitate fluid outflow from the anterior chamber into Schlemm’s canal. This process helps maintain normal pressure levels inside the eye and reduces the risk of glaucoma progression. Over 200,000 eyes worldwide have benefited from iStent inject® and similar micro-bypass technologies, highlighting these treatments' growing popularity and effectiveness.
Ongoing Monitoring and Care
Glaucoma is a lifelong condition that requires regular monitoring. Consistent follow-up appointments with your specialist are crucial to tracking the disease's progression and adjusting your treatment plan as necessary. This ongoing care is essential to protecting your vision and managing the condition effectively.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Glaucoma
Living with glaucoma involves more than just medical treatment. Specific lifestyle changes can help manage your condition:
Healthy Diet: Focus on foods that support eye health, such as leafy greens, fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and fruits high in vitamins A, C, and E.
Regular Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce eye pressure, but avoiding activities involving straining or heavy lifting is important.
Medication Adherence: Always take your prescribed medications as directed to keep your eye pressure under control.
Regular Eye Exams: Keep up with your scheduled appointments to monitor your condition and adjust treatments as needed.
Living with Glaucoma
Why Choose Springwood Cataract & Eye Clinic?
Expertise in Glaucoma Care
At Springwood Cataract & Eye Clinic, you’ll be cared for by Dr. Ron Binetter, a highly experienced glaucoma specialist and ophthalmologist with extensive knowledge in treating all forms of glaucoma. We are dedicated to providing the best care to manage your condition and protect your vision.
Personalised Treatment Plans
We understand that every patient is unique, so we develop tailored treatment plans that fit your specific needs. From diagnosis to ongoing management, we’re with you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive the most effective care possible.