The inside of a person’s eye has a substance known as aqueous humor. Clear and plasma like it circulates between the lens and cornea nourishing the cells. Secreted by the ciliary processes the aqueous humor keeps the eye functioning at high levels. Usually the amount of fluid created by the ciliary process has an equal amount of fluid draining out of the drainage angle. The whole process keeps the intraocular pressure within range. If the system becomes too pressured the possibility of damage to the optic nerve can occur causing a condition called glaucoma.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
At first the increased pressure in the eye causes no symptoms, but over time the inner cells become damaged. Glaucoma remains the leading cause of blindness. The first symptoms develop as blind spots in the peripheral or side vision. Patients reported small bouts of blurred vision, occasional eye pain and mild headaches. Most glaucoma caught in the early stages has been discovered by ophthalmologists during regular eye exams. No cure exists for glaucoma. Doctors created a host of treatments from medicines to surgery to laser trabeculoplasty. New treatment holds even more hope and promise known as Xen Gel Implant.
Xen Gel Implant
Ophthalmologists have been exploring ways to prevent blindness and deal with glaucoma with hybrid minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and traditional surgery. Creating a collagen derived device known as Xen Gel, they target the subconjunctival space of the eye. The subconjunctival lies below the mucous membranes that line the eyeball plus the inner surface of the eyelids. Using this method the pressure from excess fluid lowers immediately. Other advantages of the Xen Gel list as it can act as a stand-alone procedure or be coupled with a cataract surgery. It leaves the option of doing more aggressive glaucoma surgeries later if necessary.
Houston Lasik has been exploring all the possibilities of the surgery since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it last November 2016. The astoundingly small stent has the size and feel of an eyelash. Recommended for open-angle glaucoma the procedure works even if the patient has had previous surgical treatment. In Houston the laser eye surgery clinic creates a small groove right under the conjunctiva in the eye to lower the pressure and drain the fluid. The intent remains to make the stent permanent.
Cautions
As with any surgery some concerns arise. The pressure of the eye must be monitored while the eye heals. Patients sometimes experience reduced vision for a short time. Depending on how the tissue scars around the new implant an additional needling procedure may have to be done to release the scarring. Also understand the procedure remains relatively new so not all the possible uses for all age groups have had sufficient time to develop data. A patient with glaucoma’s best option remains to set up a consultation with the competent doctors of Houston Lasik and discuss the possibilities.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via
https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/glaucoma-facts-and-stats.php
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/glaucoma-symptoms
https://www.eyeworld.org/xen-gel-stent-when-use-and-how-implant
https://www.xengelstent.com/XENGelStent
:
