Glaucoma Surgery in Cape Coral

Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, medication, surgery, or a combination of these methods. With prompt treatment from Elmquist Eye Group in Cape Coral or Fort Myers, it’s possible to prevent vision loss and possible blindness.

If you are looking for a highly skilled eye surgeon in Lee County or Southwest Florida, consider E. Trevor Elmquist, DO. Dr. Elmquist is an experienced ophthalmologist and surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Elmquist is also one of America’s Top Doctors in Ophthalmology. Each year, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. identifies the nation’s best doctors in every medical specialty who are nominated by their peers.  These doctors represent the top 1% of doctors in the nation.

Dr. Elmquist’s partner, Kate Wagner, OD, and his associate, Nina Burt, OD, are both board certified optometrists and provide comprehensive eye care services for everyone in the family.

After a comprehensive dilated eye exam and diagnostic testing, Dr. Elmquist, Dr. Wagner, or Dr. Burt will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for glaucoma surgery.

About Glaucoma Surgery

There have been many advances in glaucoma treatment and surgery in recent years. Medicated eye drops are often the first step in treatment, but laser surgery may be equally effective depending on the type and severity of your glaucoma and the general health of your eyes.

Laser Surgery

Although medication treatment is helpful for most glaucoma patients, laser surgery can be very effective because no cutting is involved.

For open-angle glaucoma, the most common laser surgery is called trabeculoplasty. It can be helpful for patients who experience side effects from glaucoma eye drops or whose glaucoma is not adequately controlled with medication alone.

For closed-angle glaucoma, laser iridotomy is often performed before medication treatment or conventional surgery for people who have narrow drainage angles or have had closed-angle glaucoma in only one eye. It is also used to treat closed-angle glaucoma once the pressure in the affected eye has been lowered with medication or when medications fail.

The surgeon focuses the laser beam to make small changes in the eye’s drainage system to allow fluid to flow more easily and reduce intraocular pressure. The procedure is typically painless and takes 5 to 15 minutes. As with all types of surgery, complications are possible and long-term success rates may vary.

Conventional Surgery 

If medications and laser treatment are not successful at lowering eye pressure, your surgeon may recommend conventional surgery, the most common of which is called trabeculectomy. This procedure is used in both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma.

After anesthetizing the eye, the surgeon creates a new drainage path for excess fluid from the inside of the eye to the outside by making a small hinged flap in the space under the conjunctiva (the clear tissue layer that serves as a “skin” over the white of the eye). The outpatient procedure usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

The success rate for glaucoma surgery varies based on the nature and stage of your glaucoma.

For answers to your questions about glaucoma surgery in Cape Coral or Fort Myers, get in touch with Elmquist Eye Group today at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment. We’ll provide you with the highest quality care, advice, options and follow-up.