Glaucoma
Detection and control of intraocular pressure to protect the optic nerve.
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General description
Glaucoma is a progressive optic nerve disease, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure, and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide when not detected in time. We perform optic nerve tomography and visual field studies for diagnosis and follow-up, with treatment options ranging from medication to laser and surgery.
What does treatment involve?
Eye drop therapy and diagnostic monitoring
In most cases, treatment begins with pressure-lowering eye drops. The response is assessed and monitored with optic nerve optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field testing, studies we have available at Vision Clinic to detect any progression of damage early and adjust treatment in time.
Laser (SLT — Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty)
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses a low-energy laser aimed at the trabecular meshwork to improve drainage of the eye's fluid and lower intraocular pressure. Its main advantage is that it requires no rest — you can go back to your normal activities the same day. It's performed in-office in about 10 minutes per eye, using only anesthetic drops. We include, at no cost, the post-procedure kit with your starter treatment drops.
Surgery (depending on the stage of glaucoma)
When drops and laser aren't enough to control eye pressure, several surgical options are available depending on the type and stage of each patient's glaucoma: Ahmed valve, Paul valve, PreserFlo, trabeculotomy, goniosynechialysis, GATT (gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy), and Kahook Dual Blade, among others. These procedures are performed by Dr. Mata, one of the surgeons with the widest range of glaucoma procedure expertise in all of Tijuana, who provides close follow-up to choose the most appropriate technique for each case. These surgeries generally require a few days of relative rest; we include, at no cost, the post-surgical kit with your starter treatment drops and one month of follow-up consultations at no cost.
The treatment plan isn't fixed: it may be adjusted over time between drops, laser, and surgery depending on how eye pressure and the optic nerve evolve.
Care during treatment
Care depends on the modality indicated for your case —detailed in each section above—: drops and SLT do not require rest, while surgical procedures do require a few days of relative rest and post-surgical care, including the no-cost kit with starter treatment drops.
Follow-up
Glaucoma requires lifelong monitoring, so the same specialist who defined your treatment plan continuously follows your eye pressure and optic nerve health. We include one month of follow-up consultations at no cost after any procedure.
Other treatments
LASIK
Laser refractive surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
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