New glaucoma treatment available locally

The second leading cause of blindness in the United States, glaucoma is a chronic disease that affects about four million Americans over the age of 40, half of whom remain unaware they have the disease. Unlike most other diseases, glaucoma has no obvious symptoms and can permanently damage vision without warning. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can never be restored.

To provide patients with the latest alternatives in glaucoma treatment, local ophthalmologist Dr. Jackson T. Giles is pleased to announce the availability of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, a progressive new treatment in the fight to stop the progression of glaucoma. This new therapy is now available at the PAPP Clinic. According to a recent study reported by the National Eye Institute, immediate treatment of open-angle glaucoma in its early stages has been shown to delay progression of the disease and reduce subsequent vision loss.

“Screening and early intervention is critical to detecting and stopping the relentless progression of glaucoma” said Dr. Giles. “Our facility was the first in the Newnan area to offer this breakthrough laser treatment that has been clinically proven to reduce intraocular pressure which has been attributed to the progression of glaucoma. With virtually no side effects and thereby eliminating or reducing the quantity of prescription medications, eye drops, surgery and other invasive treatments required to control the disease, SLT is the ideal treatment modality.”

Certain groups of people have been shown to be at increased risk of developing glaucoma. These groups include: people over the age of 40, people who have a family history of glaucoma, African and Hispanic American, people who have diabetes, hypertension, myopia (nearsightedness), poor ocular circulation, a previous eye injury, people who have used steroid/cortisone medications on a long-term basis and especially people with elevated intraocular pressure.

“I was surprised to find out that I had Glaucoma and even more worried about it’s progression.” said Marsha Moore, longtime patient of Dr. Giles. “I was however put at ease when Dr. Giles explained to me the progressive options I had available.”

Dr. Giles was one of the first ophthalmologists in the area to offer this new, non-invasive laser treatment system called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), made available by Lumenis, Inc. in Santa Clara, Calif. This therapy can be administered in the ophthalmologist’s own office with the Selectra* Glaucoma Laser System to lower the eye pressure that is symptomatic of glaucoma. SLT does not cause scarring or damage to the eye like other laser treatments and has been shown to effectively keep pressure lower for up to four years. SLT may also be an alternative for patients who have been treated unsuccessfully with laser surgery in the past or with pressure lowering eye drops.

“Treatment options have come a long way not only to improve the lives of people suffering from glaucoma, but help arrest the disease before vision loss occurs for people who are diagnosed early,” added Dr. Giles.

Glaucoma is characterized by a buildup of fluid within the eye, causing intraocular pressure to increase. This pressure increase affects the optic nerve, resulting in cellular death and vision loss. In a healthy eye, fluid containing nutrients to bathe the eye and help the eyeball maintain its shape is continuously drained and replenished, however, in a person with glaucoma, this fluid either does not drain properly or is created in excess, resulting in pressure that, if left untreated, eventually damages the optic nerve. When this occurs, partial or total vision loss may result. Because vision loss is irreversible and painless, early detection and treatment is critical. The only acceptable treatment for glaucoma is to lower intraocular pressure.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty works by treating only specific melanin cells in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, leaving all other cells intact. The SLT mechanism promotes the body’s own natural healing response, allowing fluid to move more freely out of the eye to successfully lower intraocular eye pressure. Prior to introduction of laser technologies, the ability to lower intraocular pressure could only be achieved through traditional drug therapy or surgery.

The Ophthalmology Department at the PAPP Clinic, under the direction of Dr. Jackson T. Giles, M.D., specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and research of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Utilizing the latest technology available, the PAPP Clinic Ophthalmology Department is now accepting Davis Vision and EyeMed. For more information about the PAPP Clinic Ophthalmology Department, visit www.pappclinic.com or call 770-254-6131.