Our Procedures : Glaucoma Surgery

Glaucoma Surgery : SLT • ECP
Glaucoma is a condition, in which pressure inside the eye over time causes damage to the optic nerve. This in turn causes a patient to lose some or all of their vision usually beginning with the peripheral vision. The goal in glaucoma treatment is to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) which can be accomplished with eye drops, lasers, or surgical intervention.

In our practice we have had tremendous success in this area using an advanced in-office laser procedure known as SLT or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. During this procedure a special laser is focused on the outflow apparatus of the eye and used to essentially open the drainage pathways from the eye allowing the IOP to be lowered.

For those patients who require even lower IOPs Dr. Mills is able to perform ECP or Endo Cyclo- Photocoagulation in an OR setting. Dr. Mills was the first surgeon in Reno to perform this advanced intraocular laser procedure for glaucoma. In this procedure, an endoscopic laser probe is positioned inside the eye and used to ablate the tissue which produces the fluid which causes the pressure inside the eye (or the IOP). By performing this procedure the fluid production is decreased and thereby the IOP is decreased which can result in the preservation of vision for these patients.

Our doctors are very experienced in Glaucoma care and would be happy to evaluate you for potential or previously detected glaucoma. In many cases Glaucoma has a genetic component and runs in families so it is important to be evaluated if you have family members with this disease. Also, Glaucoma is relatively asymptomatic until late in the course of the disease at which point significant and irreversible damage already exists so it is crucial to detect the condition as early as possible so that treatment can be initiated to preserve vision.

Ultimately Glaucoma is a disease of aging and many times presents with no family history. Therefore, it is important for all seniors to be evaluated periodically for this condition as it becomes increasingly common with increasing age.