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Glaucoma Laser Treatment

The board-certified ophthalmologists at Kirk Eye Center utilize a number of advanced laser treatments to address a variety of types of glaucoma.

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Glaucoma Laser Treatment

At Kirk Eye Center, our skilled team utilizes state-of-the-art laser technology to effectively address various types of glaucoma.

We offer multiple laser-assisted glaucoma treatments based on your specific condition:

Laser trabeculoplasty: We offer selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), which targets the trabecular meshwork of the eye using light energy. This helps increase the flow of drainage. SLT does not damage tissue, has a quick recovery, and works as well as our first-line eye drop therapies in over 80% of patients. SLT is used in patients with open angle glaucoma.

Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI): A laser iridotomy is a type of laser surgery that is used for narrow-angle glaucoma or for those who are potentially at risk for closed-angle glaucoma. A small hole is created in the iris to allow fluid to drain out, which helps lower eye pressure. 

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Is Glaucoma Laser Treatment Right for Me?

If you are diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma, selective laser trabeculoplasty is an excellent first-line option to help control glaucoma, especially in patients where eye drops are not a practical or appealing option. Alternatively, if you have narrow or closed-angle glaucoma, a laser peripheral iridotomy may be essential to help control your condition.

We offer specialized lasers to treat various types of glaucoma. Our team will perform a comprehensive eye health assessment to determine the best treatment for you. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your glaucoma (open-angle, closed-angle, secondary, etc.). It’s vital to have glaucoma treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your vision.

Follow-up Appointments After Laser Glaucoma Treatment

Following your laser glaucoma treatment, you will be observed for a brief period to make sure you are in optimal health before being sent home. A member of our team will provide any follow-up instructions, in addition to detailed aftercare guidelines to help ensure proper healing. Additionally, you will need to attend follow-up visits at our office to monitor your eye health.

MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery)

Due to the significant innovations in glaucoma management technologies over the past few years, the majority of patients diagnosed with glaucoma can now access a wide range of new options to manage their disease. 

Most of these treatments fall into the category of MIGS, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. At Kirk Eye Center, we are pleased to offer MIGS techniques, as well as various other new laser treatments for our patients. MIGS techniques utilize microscopic incisions and devices to reduce internal eye pressure, thereby avoiding or slowing further trauma to the optic nerve. MIGS is a safe option that can be performed at most stages of glaucoma.

Glaucoma Stents

iStent and iStent Inject are the world’s smallest medical devices, creating microscopic drainage pathways through the trabecular meshwork. The Hydrus Microstent spans 90 degrees of the drainage system, providing comprehensive pressure reduction. Both can be combined with cataract surgery and significantly reduce medication dependence.

Goniotomy

Goniotomy directly opens the eye’s natural drainage channels by making precise incisions in the trabecular meshwork. Using advanced techniques, this procedure effectively restores normal fluid outflow while preserving the eye’s natural anatomy. It’s particularly effective for patients seeking to reduce glaucoma medications while maintaining future treatment options.

Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP)

ECP is an outpatient procedure that generally takes about 15 minutes and does not require a long recovery. First, an endoscope (a small tube with a camera) is placed into the eye through a small incision. 

Next, laser energy is applied to the ciliary body epithelium (which creates fluid in your eye) to cause some inflammation and scarring, helping to decrease the production of eye fluid. ECP is often performed at the same time as cataract surgery for patients who have both cataracts and glaucoma.

ECP is often performed at the same time as cataract surgery for patients who have both cataracts and glaucoma, and many individuals report improved quality of life and the ability to continue in their regular routines with decreased reliance on glaucoma medications over the long term. If you have glaucoma and are scheduling cataract surgery, this procedure is a good option to help reduce long-term medication burden and better control your eye pressure.

Which MIGS is Right For Me?

The highly knowledgeable ophthalmologists at Kirk Eye Center are proud to provide MIGS surgeries for their patients. As soon as we have decided that someone is eligible for MIGS, we will go over all of their available options. 

Our team specializes in several MIGS techniques, and all of them are carried out using the most cutting-edge technology. Usually, MIGS treatments are performed on an outpatient basis and are completed fairly quickly. Several MIGS procedures take under 15 minutes.

Can MIGS Treat My Glaucoma?

Only an experienced ophthalmologist can judge whether or not you are an ideal candidate for MIGS or laser therapy. Each of the several kinds of glaucoma can occur with different degrees of seriousness, which means every patient needs an individualized treatment plan to manage their intraocular pressure. The most suitable candidates for MIGS:

  • Aren’t at elevated risk for severe progression
  • Are diagnosed with both glaucoma and cataracts
  • Are over 18 years of age
  • Have mild to moderate glaucoma
  • Have uncontrolled intraocular pressure despite eye drops or wish to reduce medication burden

Benefits of MIGS

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is an advanced treatment option for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma who are seeking a less invasive alternative to traditional procedures. 

Some of the benefits of MIGS are:

Follow-Up After MIGS

Because these treatments are minimally invasive, the recovery time is drastically less than with other glaucoma procedures. Almost all patients can return to work and their other usual routines within 48 hours to 1 week. After the procedure is complete, we carefully outline each patient’s post-procedure guidelines for caring for their eyes during the healing process. 

Additionally, we require our MIGS patients to return for a series of crucial follow-up appointments at Kirk Eye Center, which allow us to carefully evaluate their internal eye pressure over time.

Bypass Filtration Surgeries

Trabeculectomy

A trabeculectomy is a common surgical procedure performed to treat glaucoma by creating a tiny incision in the eye, essentially forming a new channel for fluid to drain out of the eye. This helps lower intraocular pressure to slow or prevent the progressive vision loss that occurs in patients with glaucoma (both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma). 

Trabeculectomy is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia, and you can go home the same day. Your ophthalmologist will perform the surgery by creating a tiny incision in the sclera (white part of your eye), which is then covered in part with a flap of eye tissue to create a small pocket (filtration bleb) to allow for the drainage of fluid. The bleb is hidden under your eyelid, so no one will be able to see it after surgery. Antibiotics may also be applied under the lining of your eye to prevent any infection from developing. 

Our doctors typically advise that you come in for a follow-up appointment the day after the procedure so we can monitor your healing progress. We may also prescribe corticosteroid medication, which should be used for about two months to help reduce eye inflammation. In addition, be sure to avoid straining activities and vigorous exercise for the next few weeks.

Xen Gel Stent and Express Mini Shunt

Advances to traditional trabeculectomy surgery, such as the Express mini-shunt and the Xen gel stent, help Tyler Kirk, MD, deliver a safer and more successful outcome with the trabeculectomy procedure. The Xen gel stent is a soft, flexible tube made of biocompatible gelatin that creates a controlled drainage pathway through a small corneal incision, offering less tissue trauma than traditional surgery. The Express mini shunt is a small stainless steel device that serves as a permanent drainage conduit, providing consistent pressure control with reduced scarring risk. Both devices can be combined with anti-metabolite medications to improve long-term success rates for patients requiring more aggressive pressure reduction than MIGS procedures alone.

Tube Shunt Surgery

For complex glaucoma cases, tube shunt surgery involves implanting a small drainage device to lower eye pressure. Valved shunts have built-in pressure regulation to prevent over-drainage, while non-valved shunts typically achieve lower final pressures but require careful management after the procedure. These procedures are ideal for patients with advanced glaucoma or for those who have had surgery in the past that was not successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your specific case, but many patients experience a reduced need for glaucoma medications after MIGS. The goal of the surgery is to lower intraocular pressure, which may make daily drops unnecessary or allow for fewer medications. However, some patients may still require the use of eye drops or other treatments in conjunction with MIGS to maintain optimal pressure levels. Your doctor will tailor a post-surgery plan that meets your individual needs.

MIGS helps slow or halt the progression of glaucoma by lowering intraocular pressure, which is the primary cause of optic nerve damage. By reducing pressure levels, the procedure protects the optic nerve from further harm and preserves your remaining vision. While it cannot reverse existing vision loss, MIGS provides an effective tool for managing the disease and maintaining quality of life. Regular monitoring remains crucial to track glaucoma’s progression over time.

Your doctor will monitor your intraocular pressure during follow-up visits to ensure the procedure is successful. You may notice fewer glaucoma symptoms, such as reduced eye strain or less reliance on medications, but only professional measurements can confirm the results. It’s important to attend all scheduled appointments and share any concerns or changes in your vision. Success is measured not only by IOP levels but also by your overall quality of life.

Most patients report little to no pain during glaucoma laser treatment. Your eye will be numbed with drops before the procedure to ensure your comfort. You might feel a mild pressure sensation or see bright flashes of light from the laser, but these sensations are typically brief and tolerable. After the procedure, some people experience mild irritation, but this usually resolves quickly.

Glaucoma laser treatment is generally effective, but the results may vary from person to person. For many patients, the benefits last several years, significantly lowering eye pressure and reducing the risk of disease progression. However, the effect of the laser may diminish over time, and additional treatments or medications may be needed. Regular follow-ups are essential to track your eye health and make any necessary adjustments.

Advanced Glaucoma Management

In the very recent past, patients suffering from the later stages of glaucoma had only one option for treatment. However, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and laser surgeries now enable ophthalmologists to conduct numerous types of techniques to help patients manage their glaucoma.

Schedule your comprehensive glaucoma consultation today at one of our convenient locations in the Chicago area.

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