What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma is a condition where pressure builds inside the eye.
Why Does Glaucoma Cause Vision Loss?
The increased pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma, called intraocular pressure, can lead to damage of the optic nerve. This nerve is located at the back of the eye and is essential to vision since it is the pathway where images are sent to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, the brain does not receive the proper “signals” and can result in reduced vision and eventually blindness.
What Are the Signs of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because, most often, damage to the eye caused by glaucoma is silent until extensive, irreversible loss of vision has occurred. The first signs of glaucoma are often reduced peripheral vision (side vision). Without treatment, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness within just a few years.
Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?
The following factors can contribute to a person’s risk for glaucoma:
- Age
- Nearsightedness
- African ancestry
- Genetics
- Eye injuries
- Severe anemia or shock
Treatments Options for Glaucoma?
Durysta
For patients with open-angle glaucoma or hypertension that struggle with a daily eye drop regimen or cannot administer eye drops, there is a new treatment option. Durysta is the first sustained-release implant for glaucoma patients to be FDA approved.
Loden Vision Centers is excited to offer this new treatment option to our patients with glaucoma in the Nashville area!
What is Durysta?
Durysta is implanted in the eye to lower intraocular pressure. With glaucoma, higher levels of intraocular pressure lead to permanent damage of the optic nerve that is irreversible. If left untreated, glaucoma will cause vision loss and even permanent blindness.
Durysta is meant to directly deliver and target tissues in the anterior chamber angle, where it can distribute bimatoprost under sustained release.
The sustained release of bimatoprost for several months lowers intraocular pressure. Doctors believe that bimatoprost works to lower intraocular pressure because it increases the flow of the aqueous humor.
This is through both the trabecular meshwork and the uveoscleral routes. The implant slowly breaks down in the eye after about 4-5 months.
Who is a Good Candidate for Durysta?
Durysta is only FDA approved for patients with open-angle glaucoma or hypertension. It is best for those that struggle to use eye drops on a daily basis to lower their intraocular pressure or those that cannot take eye drops every day.
How Many Times Can Durysta Be Used?
Currently, Durysta can only be used by patients once. The FDA is conducting studies to see if it may be a treatment that glaucoma patients can have more than once.
If you struggle to remember to use eye drops every day for your glaucoma treatment, Durysta may be right for you. Schedule an appointment at Loden Vision Centers in Nashville, TN to discuss your options!
If You Are Concerned About Glaucoma
If you are concerned you might have or could be at risk for glaucoma, please call our expert staff at (615) 859-3937 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam that we can assess your current visual health, including whether or not you have glaucoma.
