For the millions of people who suffer from glaucoma or cataracts there is no definitive way to prevent the disease from occurring. However, as technology becomes more sophisticated, new techniques using Endoscopic lasers may spell relief in a way that is quicker and more painless than previous treatments. Read on to find out if you, or someone you know, may be an ideal candidate for this effective laser surgery.

The Ideal Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery

The ideal candidate for Endoscopic laser treatment would be a patient with glaucoma or cataracts that has not had any success managing the condition with other methods. This includes those who may have already tried standard surgery or have hard cases, which prove difficult to manage.

How Endoscopic Laser Eye Surgery Works

Unlike other laser eye surgeries that treat the infected tissue from outside the eye, Endoscopic laser surgery works from within to target the exact tissues that need to be fixed.

Endoscopic laser surgery is a form of cyclodestructive surgery. This means that during surgery the laser will remove the part of the eye that produces intraocular fluid. This area is part of the eye?s ciliary body. The objective in doing this is to help lower the eye pressure to stop, or slow down, the effects of glaucoma.

What Types Of Glaucoma or Cataracts Can Be Treated This Way?

Several types of glaucoma can be treated with Endoscopic laser treatment including:

• Neovascular Glaucoma: Though unusual, neovascular glaucoma is typically very hard to take care of. It is generally not noticed until the patient complains of pain, eye discomfort, eye redness, and loss of vision suddenly. As a form of closed angle glaucoma, it blocks or closes the drain, which is called trabecular meshwork. Many times patients with diabetes or high blood pressure will be at a higher risk for developing this type of glaucoma.
• Open Angle Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma usually has little if any symptoms, until it has reached an advanced staged where vision loss has already begun to occur. Open angle glaucoma generally shows no signs of visible obstruction in the eye drainage system.
• Narrow Angle Glaucoma: Though less common than its counterpart, it is still a detrimental to the health of the eyes. This type of glaucoma is generally very visible. Symptoms are almost immediate, with problems such as color halos, blurred vision, eye redness, and severe pain. Narrow angle glaucoma is typically more common in people that are of Vietnamese or Chinese heritage.

What Are The Benefits Of Endoscopic Laser Treatment?

There are many benefits to using Endoscopic laser treatment in favor of other types of treatments.

• The Endoscopic laser is only about the thickness of a paperclip, making it less invasive to the eye.
• The treatment has fewer side effects, which may include some temporary pain and inflammation.
• Following surgery, most patients describe their pain or inflammation as being less severe than with other treatments.

How Effective Is The Treatment?

Endoscopic laser surgery to treat glaucoma and cataracts has proven highly successful for the past decade. Current research and continuing case studies are still going on to determine the long-term effects of the treatment.

With any luck, this form of eye surgery will be the ideal solution for the many sufferers of glaucoma.