ViaLase has developed a novel non-incisional glaucoma treatment, called femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculectomy, or FLigHT, for short.
The new surgical treatments for glaucoma are called Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries (MIGS). These are surgical procedures that are most often combined with cataract surgery to lower the intraocular pressure with a high safety profile and modest efficacy.
While there's still no cure for glaucoma, the research team hopes to advance towards clinical trials for this new technology in the near future. Its success could allow long-term treatment of the disease with a single eye injection, saving patients time and money, and improving their quality of life.
For people with advanced glaucoma, a type of surgery called trabeculectomy reduces pressure in the eye more effectively than eye drops. New research into the first treatment offered also found that surgery was likely to be more cost-effective than eye drops over the person's lifetime.
Summary: A new study has shown a common eye condition, glaucoma, could be successfully treated with a single injection using gene therapy, which would improve treatment options, effectiveness and quality of life for many patients.
Absolutely. The aim of treating patients with glaucoma is for them to be able to maintain their quality of life and live as normally as possible. Patients with glaucoma have a normal life expectancy and, with treatment, can carry out activities as they did before diagnosis.
Although glaucoma is more common in adults older than 60, it can develop at any age. While there is currently no cure for glaucoma, vision loss can be slowed or stopped if the disease is diagnosed and treated early.
However, low-tension glaucoma tends be a much more aggressive form of the disease in that the peripheral vision loss tends to occur closer to the center of the vision and can change more rapidly than other forms of glaucoma.
By the time you notice vision loss from glaucoma, it's too late. The lost vision cannot be restored, and it's very likely you may experience additional vision loss, even after glaucoma treatment begins.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): The Gold Standard for Treating Open Angle Glaucoma.
This includes inverted yoga positions (and headstands) or using inversion tables. Something else to be careful of is any activity during which you are likely to hold your breath and exert yourself, such as lifting heavy weights or playing a high-resistance wind instrument like an oboe or trumpet.
High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.
The research supports this guidance: In one study, aerobic exercise (such as walking, swimming, biking, or working out on stationary machines) at a brisk level for 30 to 45 minutes three to four times a week lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) and improved blood flow to the brain and the eye.
Maintaining a healthy weight, controlling your blood pressure, being physically active, and avoiding smoking will help you avoid vision loss from glaucoma. These healthy behaviors will also help prevent type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.
People over age 60 are at increased risk for the disease. African Americans, however, are at increased risk after age 40. The risk of developing glaucoma increases slightly with each year of age.
But, glaucoma eye drops like Xalatan (prostaglandins) seem to be the best tolerated for most people. This, along with their once-daily dosing, make prostaglandin eye drops a go-to first choice.
There's no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision.
Summary. Living with glaucoma does not necessarily mean giving up driving. Some drivers with glaucoma learn to scan the visual environment such that they are still safe drivers. However, it is important to have your driving assessed if you or your family and friends are concerned about your driving.
For patients with mild glaucoma that is stable we might consider surgically removing the cataract and treating the glaucoma with pressure-lowering medications or laser treatments. Cataract surgery alone on an eye with glaucoma will sometimes lower the pressure in the eye.
Glaucoma is a slowly progressing problem. On an average, untreated Glaucoma takes around 10-15 years to advance from early damage to total blindness. With an IOP (Intraocular Pressure) of 21-25 mmHg it takes 15 yrs to progress, an IOP of 25-30 mmHg around seven years and pressure more than 30 mmHg takes three years.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness
And unfortunately approximately 10% of people with glaucoma who receive proper treatment still experience loss of vision.
Glaucoma is indeed a potentially blinding disease. Worldwide, it is the second most common cause for irreversible blindness. However, with early diagnosis and modern treatment, blindness is very uncommon.