SLT laser treatment (selective laser trabeculoplasty) is a safe, painless office procedure that may allow many of our glaucoma patients to eliminate or reduce the need for eye drops.

The procedure, which is covered by most insurance plans, takes just a few minutes, and does not require any recovery time-you may drive yourself to and from the procedure, and resume all your normal activities immediately.

Most of our glaucoma patients are treated with drops to lower the pressure in their eyes. While the drops are, for the most part, effective, there are some distinct disadvantages to these medications:

Eye drops must be used one to four times a day, and many patients forget to use them as often as is necessary.

It is often inconvenient to instill the eye drops as scheduled, especially at work or in social settings.

While eye drops are usually very safe, there is always the possibility a patient may develop a reaction or an allergy to any medication.

The eye drops can be very expensive, with some of them costing $60-100 for a one month supply.

If you have glaucoma and want to know if the new SLT laser treatment is appropriate for you, call today to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Providing SLT laser treatment is another way Emerald Coast Eye Institute, P.A. continues to provide the very best and most sophisticated care available for our patients.

Trabeculectomy
When medicines and laser surgeries do not lower eye pressure enough, doctors may recommend a procedure called a trabeculectomy.

What is a trabeculectomy?
A tiny drainage hole is made in the sclera (the white part of the eye). The new drainage hole allows fluid to flow out of the eye and helps lower eye pressure. This prevents or reduces damage to the optic nerve.

Is there pain during the surgery?
In most cases, there is no pain involved. The surgery is usually done with a local anesthetic or numbing medicine behind the eye. Relaxing medications are also given through an IV.

What is the success rate?
Most of the related studies document follow-up for a one year period. In those reports, it shows that in older patients, glaucoma filtering surgery is successful in about 70-90% of cases, for at least one year.

What's happening when it isn't working anymore?
Occasionally, the surgically-created drainage hole begins to close and the pressure rises again. This happens because the body tries to heal the new opening in the eye, as if the opening were an injury. This rapid healing occurs most often in younger people, because they have a stronger healing system.

Do you have to stay in the hospital overnight after a trabeculectomy?
Usually, it's an outpatient procedure, requiring no overnight hospital stay. Your doctor will want to see you the following day to check your pressure, and look for any signs of infection or increase in inflammation.

How long is the recovery time?
For at least two weeks after surgery, patients are advised to keep water out of the eye. Most daily activities can be done, however, it is important to avoid bending and doing any heavy lifting. Since each case is different, patients should check with their doctor for specific advice.

How will the eye look after surgery? Is there a noticeable scar or redness?
The eye will be red and irritated shortly after surgery, and there may be increased watering. The inner eye fluid flows through the surgically-created hole and forms a small blister-like bump called a bleb. The bleb, usually located on the upper surface of the eye, is covered by the eyelid, and is usually not visible.

Will vision be changed? Will glaucoma medications still need to be taken?
There may be some vision changes, such as blurred vision, for about six weeks after the surgery. After that time, vision will usually return to the same level it was before surgery. In a few cases, the vision may be worse due to very low pressure, or a wrinkle in the macula (center of the retina). The need for further medications to lower the intraocular pressure may not be necessary following surgery, depending upon the new established intraocular pressure range.

Will my prescription change?
The future use of contact lenses after a trabeculectomy is not recommended since contact lenses will increase the risk for eye infections.

Ahmed Aqueous Tube Shunt
The Ahmed tube shunt is different than other shunts in that it contains a valve that constantly regulates and maintains the proper amount of fluid in the eye for healthy intraocular pressure.

ExPress Mini Shunt
About the size of a grain of rice, the ExPress Mini Shunt is implanted to allow aqueous humor to bypasses the normal filtration angle of the eye that has been damaged by glaucoma. The shunt creates an alternate route for drainage under the conjunctiva which reduces pressure.

Baerveldt® Aqueous Tube Shunt
The unique design of the Baerveldt® shunt versus other single plate implants is the larger surface area (available in 3 sizes) for efficient filtration and reduction in pressure. The simple insertion and surgical technique required for the Baerveldt® shunt translates into minimal trauma for the patient.