Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can result in vision loss or blindness. With early detection and innovative treatment options, the team at Valley Eye Associates can help protect your eyes against the most serious effects of glaucoma.

Several factors can contribute to your eye’s risk of glaucoma, such as eye pressure and blood pressure. Some people can tolerate higher levels of eye pressure better than others, but glaucoma develops when the pressure is high enough to damage the optic nerve.

There are several types of glaucoma, but they are generally grouped into two main categories:

1. Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: The eye’s main drainage angle is open, but the internal drainage channels are somehow clogged or not working efficiently, causing pressure to build up slowly over time.
2. Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This is an acute form of glaucoma that happens when the iris (colored part of the eye) bulges and partially or completely blocks the drainage angle, causing a sudden, severe rise in eye pressure.

Some people are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma, including:

• African Americans over the age of 40
• Anyone over the age of 60
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• Are farsighted or nearsighted
• Had an eye injury
• Have used steroid medications long-term
• Have thinner corneas
• Have thinning of the optic nerve
• Have diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, poor blood circulation

When glaucoma first develops, patients usually do not experience any pain or symptoms. Over time, peripheral vision continues to be lost. This peripheral vision loss will continue to slowly move toward the central vision, until no vision remains. Because of this, it’s important to diagnose and treat glaucoma as early as possible to preserve and protect vision.

While there is no cure for glaucoma, advanced glaucoma treatment at Valley Eye Associates can ensure your vision is protected from the most serious effects of glaucoma. Valley Eye Associates offers the following treatments for glaucoma:

Eye Drops

Medicinal eye drops are the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Used regularly, eye drops can lower the eye pressure and protect vision. Some eye drops cause the eye to create less of the fluid that raises eye pressure, while other drops help lower pressure by causing fluid to be drained out of the eye at a faster rate. It’s important to use glaucoma eye drops properly.

But drops can be costly, cause uncomfortable side effects, and be challenging to put in the eye. The good news? Many insurance companies cover innovative glaucoma treatments to protect your vision! You could reduce or potentially eliminate the need for glaucoma eye drops with our advanced treatments here at Valley Eye Associates.

DSLT®

For a fast and comfortable way to manage eye pressure, we offer Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (DSLT). This next-generation treatment is the first automated, non-contact laser therapy designed to lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Unlike traditional laser treatments that require a lens to touch the eye, the Voyager™ DSLT system uses advanced image-guided technology to deliver precise laser energy through the outer eye in just seconds. By stimulating the eye’s natural drainage system—the trabecular meshwork—DSLT helps restore fluid outflow and reduces the need for daily eye drops. The DSLT even has a sophisticated eye-tracking feature that ensures the laser is perfectly aligned, even if your eye moves during the procedure.

Durysta®

DURYSTA® is a tiny implant that your doctor places in your eye. As it dissolves, medication is delivered straight to your eye tissue. Eventually, DURYSTA® will naturally and completely leave your eye. For patients seeking a more convenient way to manage open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure, we are proud to offer Durysta. This innovative, FDA-approved treatment is a tiny, biodegradable implant designed to provide continuous medication delivery directly inside the eye. Unlike daily eye drops, which can be difficult to remember or administer, Durysta automatically releases a consistent dose of bimatoprost for several months. The key benefits of Durysta include reduced daily hassle by eliminating the need for daily eye drop routines for several months, and the consistent pressure control by providing 24/7 medication release to help prevent vision loss.

iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass
For our patients managing mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma, we offer the iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass, the world’s smallest medical implant, that is made of surgical-grade titanium. This Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by creating a permanent opening in the eye’s natural drainage system. By bypassing the blocked trabecular meshwork, the iStent re-establishes a physiologic pathway for fluid to flow into Schlemm’s canal, effectively reducing the risk of vision loss. The iStent is typically implanted during cataract surgery, allowing you to address two conditions in a single, outpatient procedure – although can be a stand-alone procedure as well. Clinical studies show that up to 68% of patients remain medication-free one year after the procedure, reducing the need for daily eye drops. Because it is micro-invasive, most patients experience a fast recovery with a safety profile similar to cataract surgery alone.

Xengel®

For patients with refractory glaucoma or those whose intraocular pressure is not adequately controlled by medications, we offer the XEN® Gel Stent. This micro-invasive filtration procedure involves placing a tiny, flexible tube—about the length of an eyelash—into the eye to create a new drainage pathway. Made from a biocompatible gelatin material, the stent softens once implanted, allowing excess fluid to drain into a small “filtering bleb” under the conjunctiva. This specialized approach provides a safer, less invasive alternative to traditional surgeries like trabeculectomies, offering effective pressure reduction with a significantly faster recovery. The XEN Gel Stent has advanced pressure control, as many patients experience a 35% to 44% reduction in eye pressure, often allowing them to reduce or eliminate their daily glaucoma eye drops. The soft collagen material is well-accepted by the body, minimizing the risk of inflammation or rejection.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the team at Valley Eye Associates can help you control your glaucoma and protect your vision. To schedule a glaucoma evaluation, please call us at (800) 344‑4443 or fill out our contact form and someone from our office will contact you shortly.