Glaucoma Treatment in New Jersey

We are a comprehensive ophthalmology practice with a strong focus on glaucoma treatment in New Jersey. We care for a sizeable number of patients and provide the most advanced diagnostic methods available for early glaucoma treatment and detection.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve connection between the eye and the brain. The optic nerve is a bundle of millions of smaller nerve fibers wrapped together. These individual nerve fibers can be damaged if the fluid circulating within the eye fails to drain properly, causing pressure in the eye, which results in damage to the optic nerve.

When nerve fibers die, small blind spots begin to develop in a person's field of vision. At first, the effect can be so subtle that most people will not notice it until the disease is already well advanced. If left untreated, glaucoma eventually causes blindness and is currently the number one cause of blindness in the United States. For this reason, regular eye exams with modern diagnostic equipment are critical for glaucoma treatment, particularly for those at higher risk of the disease.

Who is at high risk for glaucoma?

Those with the following background may be at higher risk for developing glaucoma:

• Over age 45
• Above normal eye pressure
• A family history of glaucoma
• African-American ancestry
• Diabetes
• Thinner than average corneal thickness
• Past eye surgery or injury
• High degrees of nearsightedness or farsightedness

Is Glaucoma Treatment Possible?

Glaucoma can be successfully managed with regular eye exams, medications (usually in the form of eye drops), and, if necessary, laser or standard surgery to improve drainage systems and help the eye self-regulate its pressure. Glaucoma is treatable and does not have to result in blindness if caught early and properly monitored.

Our Technology for Glaucoma Treatment in New Jersey

Regular eye exams with modern technologies are key to early detection and management of glaucoma. Our practice has invested in the best equipment currently available to help diagnose and manage this disease. Here are just a few of the technologies we have available to our patients for glaucoma treatment:

Humphrey Field Analyzer

We now have the state-of-the-art Humphrey Field Analyzer, which enables us to perform the fastest and most accurate visual field testing available. In addition to the standard white light on a white background exam, we can perform blue-yellow visual fields, the newest and most sensitive type of testing for glaucoma suspects. This allows earlier detection than with standard white light testing alone.

Heidelberg Retinal Tomographer II (HRT II)

We are also equipped with the Heidelberg Retinal Tomographer II (HRT II), which is the gold standard in optic nerve imaging. Using a harmless infrared laser passed through an undilated pupil, computer analysis can detect subtle optic nerve changes and can often detect glaucomatous progression changes years before visual field testing would. The HRT II is also more sensitive than the standard stereo disc photography test.

Corneal Pachymetry

Previously, high intraocular (eye) pressure was believed to be the main risk factor for glaucoma, and most ophthalmologists used eye pressure measurements as their main criterion for diagnosing glaucoma. Recently, however, a study entitled “The Ocular Hypertensive Treatment Trial” determined that corneal thickness is also a risk factor for the disease. We are able to quickly and painlessly measure corneal thickness in our office with Corneal Pachymetry to determine whether corneal thickness is a risk factor for patients and to determine the accuracy of our intraocular pressure measurements.

Ocugene

Another important risk factor in glaucoma is a family history of the disease. We are able to test our high-risk patients using Ocugene, the latest genetic testing available for glaucoma. Ocugene requires only a swab of the cheek. The specimen is then sent to a lab for analysis. The Ocugene test allows us to screen for the mt-1 in the promoter region of the TIGR gene, a glaucoma indicator. This test detects people who are at risk for the most severe types of open-angle glaucoma.

Our Techniques

we are proficient in a broad range of advanced surgical techniques specific to glaucoma. These include:

Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT):
a proven laser therapy for patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Peripheral Iridotomy (PI):
a laser method of treating or preventing angle-closure glaucoma.

Trabeculectomy (with or without anti metabolites):
a surgical method of creating a new drainage canal to lower intraocular pressure.

Endoscopic Cyclo-Photocoagulation (ECP):
The latest method of lowering eye pressure is performed with a microscopic video camera placed inside the eye to visualize the ciliary body (which makes the fluid that causes glaucoma) and uses a laser to reduce this fluid production. The surgery can be performed during cataract surgery or as an independent procedure.

If you're considering glaucoma treatment in New Jersey look no further then the friendly and helpful staff at the Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey. Contact us to learn more about how Glaucoma treatment can help you see clearly again.