Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) near Chicago, IL

At Kirk Eye Center, we understand the weight of dealing with glaucoma and the limits this may place on your daily life. Our skilled team of board-certified ophthalmologists is pleased to offer the most cutting-edge techniques and technologies to treat glaucoma, prevent further damage to your optic nerve, and preserve your eyesight. Our board-certified ophthalmology team offers a minimally invasive option known as endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) to reduce the amount of fluid produced in the eye, which lowers intraocular pressure. This treatment would ideally help you rely less on medications for glaucoma. If you have not had success with other glaucoma treatments, we invite you to contact our office in River Forest or Gurnee, IL to learn more about the ECP treatment for glaucoma.

ECP is typically performed in conjunction with cataract surgery, but it can also be performed stand alone, for patients with significant ocular hypertension or mild to severe glaucoma of either open or closed angle. It is a safe procedure and can be combined with other minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) in difficult to control or more severe glaucoma cases. 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.  

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 to allow your surgeon to see the area being treated. 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.

After ECP, many individuals report improved quality of life and the ability to continue in their regular routines. ECP typically helps decrease their reliance on glaucoma medications over the long-term so they can continue to live in good health. While there is not yet a cure for glaucoma, our goal at Kirk Eye Center is to provide advanced glaucoma treatments so patients can continue to live healthy, productive lives.

Based on your unique condition, the board-certified ophthalmologists at Kirk Eye Center offer several different treatments for glaucoma, including surgery and minimally invasive treatments. Contact us in River Forest or Gurnee, IL for a comprehensive glaucoma consultation so one of our doctors can help you find the best treatment to sustain your sight.