Cateracts

Glaucoma Services

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause irreversible vision loss. Often referred to as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma progresses without any noticeable symptoms, making it particularly concerning. At St. Cloud Eye Clinic, we focus on early diagnosis and treatment to protect your vision against this stealthy disease, which affects nearly 2.5 million people in the U.S. alone and is the second leading cause of blindness in the country.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve and is often linked to abnormally high pressure in your eye. Without swift and effective treatment, glaucoma can actually lead to permanent vision loss. Alarmingly, nearly half of those with glaucoma are not even aware they have the condition until a large portion of their vision is lost.
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Early Detection Through Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye examinations are essential when it comes to detecting glaucoma early on—the time when it’s most treatable. Our glaucoma doctors at St. Cloud Eye Clinic recommend annual eye exams as your first line of defense against the effects of glaucoma. Through these exams, we can detect signs of nerve damage and other factors associated with glaucoma before you even notice a change in your vision.

Treatment Options You Can Trust

Our clinic is at the forefront of glaucoma treatment, offering the latest advancements in medical therapies to manage this condition the right way. Each treatment approach is chosen to best address each patient’s needs, whether that be prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure or a laser procedure for glaucoma.

For more information about glaucoma treatment, visit us online. Here, we offer in-depth answers to some commonly asked questions.

iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent

Our glaucoma doctors are among a select group trained to offer the iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent. This newer treatment is particularly beneficial for patients suffering from both cataracts and glaucoma. The iStent® is designed to improve your eye’s natural fluid outflow to safely lower eye pressure—a primary risk factor for optic nerve damage in glaucoma.

Care Designed With You in Mind

Here, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about their health. We are happy to offer resources that will help you better understand glaucoma and how to manage your condition effectively. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, one of our experts will be ready and willing to help.

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Glaucoma Treatment Options

St. Cloud Eye Clinic offers a variety of treatment options to slow the advance of glaucoma and to prevent further damage. Your doctor will determine the best method or methods of treatment based on your eyes. Some of the options available include:

Trabeculectomy

During a trabeculectomy procedure, a small amount of tissue is removed from the eye, allowing drainage to lower eye pressure. There is no implanted device in a trabeculectomy. A bleb, or fluid-containing blister, may form on the white part of your eye.

Laser Trabeculectomy

Laser trabeculosplasty is a bladeless procedure that lowers pressure in the eye by opening the drainage angle of the eye. Like a regular trabeculectomy, nothing is implanted in the eye.

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy

A laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) is another simple outpatient procedure for patients with glaucoma or have a high risk for developing it. Our trained doctors direct a laser to gently put a hole in the eye’s iris. This iridotomy will allow pressures on both sides of the eye to equalize, reducing the chances of permanent vision loss. The entire procedure will only last about 10 minutes, but patients will need to stay for another 30 minutes to have their pressures checked.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

SLT is a minimally invasive glaucoma procedure that lowers intraocular pressure (IOP). This procedure combines the newest technology, enhanced surgical methods and breakthrough drugs to normalize intraocular pressure to manage your glaucoma.

Ahmed Valve

An Ahmed Valve is a medical shunt used in the eye to control intraocular pressure (IOP). When surgically implanted in the eye, this device redirects fluid through a small tube and into a bleb to collect the fluid. The silicone shunt acts much like a garden hose that directs liquid away from where it can cause vision damage in the eye.

Choose St. Cloud Eye Clinic For Your Glaucoma Care

When you choose St. Cloud Eye Clinic for your glaucoma care, you’re opting for a team that has your best interest at heart. Our experienced ophthalmologists provide the highest standard of care, working to treat your glaucoma and help you get back to seeing—and feeling—well.
If you’re concerned about glaucoma—due to family history or other risk factors—or if you need care for existing glaucoma, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to protect your vision and help you feel your best.

Whether you’re currently experiencing symptoms of glaucoma or are simply interested in learning more about a possible laser procedure for glaucoma, we invite you to visit us at St. Cloud Eye Clinic.

Glaucoma