| Glaucoma specialists and procedures |
Glaucoma sub-specialists treat all of the many forms of glaucoma with an armament of medicine, lasers, and filtration procedures all designed to prevent vision loss from this common condition. Procedures common to this sub-specialty include argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), laser peripheral iridotomy (PI), trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage device implantation, cyclodestructive procedures, and many others. Both general ophthalmology residency and fellowship trained, glaucoma specialists may perform the same procedures as general ophthalmologists.
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| The glaucoma procedures include a variety of surgical and laser procedures designed to treat glaucoma and prevent vision loss. Glaucoma, a potentially blinding disorder associated with pressure in the eye, begins with damage to the optic nerve as evidenced by subtle loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma is truly an array of disorders that result in one final common insult - optic nerve injury. Unfortunately, glaucoma rarely has any symptoms until the advanced stages are reached. Therefore, patients must be examined by an ophthalmologist before a diagnosis can be made. |
| The glaucoma procedures are nearly as varied as the many types of glaucoma. However, the goal of glaucoma procedures is to reduce or stabilize pressures in the eye, thereby preventing vision loss. The glaucoma specialist generally performs all of the listed procedures in this category, however, general ophthalmologists and other ophthalmologist sub-specialists may be extremely competent with certain of the procedures. |
| The glaucoma sub-specialist is trained first as a general ophthalmologist, and subsequently as a glaucoma specialist. As such, the glaucoma specialist has an extraordinary degree of training, expertise, and experience in this complex field. General ophthalmologists and other ophthalmologist sub-specialist frequently refer patients to the glaucoma specialist for evaluation and management. |
| Glaucoma procedures |
| Glaucoma Filtration Procedure (Trabeculectomy) |
| Glaucoma Drainage Device (Tube Shunt) |
| Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (PI) |
| Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) |
| Cyclophotocoagulation |
