At Juliette Eye Institute, Dr. Melendez and the dedicated team of eye care professionals are committed to providing exceptional eye care, including managing and treating mild glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
At Juliette Eye Institute, we combine experience with advanced technology to offer the best possible care for our patients.
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it typically progresses without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. It’s a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve, which is crucial for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain.
In all types of glaucoma, the fundamental issue involves the flow of aqueous humor. This fluid is produced behind the iris and normally exits the eye through channels in the anterior chamber angle, where the iris and cornea meet.
Any obstruction or malfunction in this drainage system can lead to increased eye pressure, which can damage the optic nerve over time. There are four major types of glaucoma, each with distinct causes and characteristics:
The most common form of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris remains open, but the drainage channels inside the angle, known as the trabecular meshwork, are partially blocked or clogged.
This makes the eye less efficient at draining aqueous humor, which can cause a gradual increase in eye pressure, damaging the optic nerve over time. Aqueous humor is the clear fluid that fills the front part of the eye.
The exact cause is unknown, but it tends to run in families.
In this type, the iris bulges forward, suddenly blocking the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. This can cause a rapid and severe increase in eye pressure.
It’s considered a medical emergency. If you’ve had an acute attack in one eye, you’re at risk for it in the other eye as well.
This type is present at birth and is caused by abnormal eye development. It often runs in families.
This type results from a known cause, such as eye injuries, certain medications (like corticosteroids), other eye diseases (like uveitis), or systemic conditions like diabetes.
Genetics plays a crucial role in glaucoma development. Your risk is higher if you have a parent or grandparent with open-angle glaucoma.
Some forms, like congenital glaucoma, have a strong genetic component. However, having a genetic predisposition doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the condition.
Other risk factors include:
Because glaucoma often progresses without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment, especially for those at higher risk.
At Juliette Eye Institute, Dr. Melendez offers a range of treatments for glaucoma, with a focus on minimizing long-term exposure to eye drops while effectively managing the condition. The primary goal is to lower intraocular pressure while reducing the risk of medication-related ocular surface damage.
While eye drops are a common initial treatment for glaucoma, prolonged use can lead to ocular surface toxicity that may impact vision and comfort. These medications, though effective at reducing eye pressure, often require lifelong daily application.
Dr. Melendez carefully evaluates each patient’s condition to determine if alternative treatments could provide effective pressure control while reducing reliance on topical medications. This approach acknowledges that long-term eye drop use can affect overall eye health and vision quality.
Recognizing the challenges of chronic eye drop use and their potential impact on the ocular surface, the team at Juliette Eye Institute is proud to offer more advanced treatment options. These innovative approaches can provide long-lasting pressure control while reducing or eliminating the need for daily eye drops, thereby protecting both your vision and ocular surface health.
Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (DSLT) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment for glaucoma. We’re proud to be among the first in the nation to offer this groundbreaking technology to our patients.
DSLT uses laser energy to target the trabecular meshwork, the eye’s natural drainage system. Unlike traditional laser treatments, DSLT doesn’t require direct contact with the eye.
Instead, it uses advanced eye-tracking technology to deliver precise laser pulses through the clear part of the eye. The laser energy stimulates the drainage tissue, improving its function and helping to lower eye pressure. This procedure is quick, painless, and can be performed right in our office. One of the key advantages of DSLT is its ability to provide long-lasting pressure control without the possibility of a reduced need for daily eye drops.
Durysta is an innovative approach to glaucoma treatment. It’s a tiny, biodegradable implant that slowly releases medication to lower eye pressure over an extended period.
Dr. Melendez can place the Durysta implant in your eye during a simple procedure. Once in place, it gradually releases a pressure-lowering medication called bimatoprost.
This sustained-release approach can control eye pressure for several months, reducing or eliminating the need for daily eye drops. Durysta is particularly beneficial for patients who struggle with remembering to use daily eye drops or have difficulty administering them.
It’s also preservative-free, making it a good option for those with sensitivities to preservatives found in many eye drop formulations.
At Juliette Eye Institute, we understand that every patient’s glaucoma journey is unique. That’s why we offer these advanced treatment options alongside traditional therapies.
Dr. Melendez will work closely with you to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and the severity of your condition.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) represents a group of surgical procedures that offer a safer, less invasive approach to reducing eye pressure compared to traditional glaucoma surgery. These procedures can often be combined with cataract surgery and may help reduce dependence on eye drops.
The iStent is a tiny device designed to help manage glaucoma in patients. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be done at the same time as cataract surgery.
The iStent is a micro-scale device that creates a permanent opening in the trabecular meshwork, bypassing the clogged drainage channels.
It creates a new exit for fluid to leave the eye, helping to lower intraocular pressure.
The iStent works by improving your eye’s natural ability to drain fluid. By enhancing this outflow, it can help reduce eye pressure and potentially decrease your reliance on glaucoma medications.
Are you at risk for glaucoma? Take the first step by scheduling an appointment at Juliette Eye Institute in Albuquerque, NM, today!
8801 Horizon BLVD STE 130
