What is Glaucoma?
First get through glaucoma, then get back to life.
When you have glaucoma, the optic nerve that carries electrical signals from your eye affects your peripheral vision and potentially causes gradual blindness. It’s often hereditary or experienced by patients over 65 or of African descent, but can also develop from a past eye injury, high eye pressure or a thin cornea.
When we treat glaucoma, we reduce the pressure inside your eye. It’s often controlled with eye drops or oral medications, and sometimes through minimally invasive surgery. We work with each patient to evaluate understand your challenges and propose the best plan for treatment.

What are the different types of Glaucoma?
There are many different types of glaucoma but the two main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma.
-
Primary open-angle glaucoma
With primary open-angle glaucoma, fluid doesn’t flow out of your eye properly, causing pressure, discomfort and potential disruption in sight. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma.
-
Closed-angle glaucoma
Closed-angle glaucoma often leaves patients experiencing sudden eye pain, blurred vision, bright halos, eye redness, and tenderness.
-
A plan that works for you.
Treatment for glaucoma may vary, so we’ll work together to determine what’s best, and better manage your glaucoma.
-
We believe in innovation.
We’re committed to making the latest technology available to you when you visit Ludwick.
-
Committed to smart solutions.
We often combine glaucoma treatment with cataract surgery, saving you time, and sometimes money, in the long run.
-
We make you feel at home.
You’ll always feel like family here, and your family will always be comfortable here in our waiting room while you go through your procedure.
-
XEN Gel Stent
We’re experts in this mildly invasive outpatient surgery, where we implant a stent in the eye that drains fluid, reduces eye pressure and helps prevent future vision loss. Designed to reduce the need for topical medication and traditional surgery, this cutting-edge stent works for those primary open-glaucoma patients who haven’t benefited from surgery in the past. Our Glaucoma Specialist, Dr. Scott Piette, has been recognized as one of the leading surgeons in the country who focuses on XEN Gel Stent surgery.
-
iStent Inject Surgery
A new, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery where we use a canal-shaped device to lower pressure in the eye for those experiencing mild to moderate glaucoma.
-
Trabeculoplasty
If your glaucoma progresses, we sometimes recommend a trabeculectomy. This incisional surgical procedure allows the eye to drain fluid, lowers eye pressure and stops further progression of glaucoma in the affected eye.
-
EX-PRESS mini glaucoma Shunt
While this outpatient procedure is similar to a trabeculoplasty, the implantable stent often results in minimal scarring and faster recovery times.
-
iStent Micro Bypass Stent
We remove the cataract and replace it with a tiny stent designed to improve your eye’s outflow and reduce lower eye pressure. This 20 minute procedure is mildly invasive and often paired with cataract surgery, so shorter recovery time and better results.
-
Shunt Surgery
If prior glaucoma surgery has been unsuccessful, we often recommend outpatient tube shunt surgery. By inserting a small implant, we can reduce eye pressure and prevent additional vision loss.
-
Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) MicroPulse Procedure
This laser procedure provides patients with a non-invasive approach when traditional surgery isn’t an option. Our innovative laser technology is applied only to the outside of the eye, and used to lower eye pressure within the structure of the eye and lower pressure to the eye overall.
-
Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) Procedure
This laser procedure allows patients to be treated for their glaucoma during cataract surgery. We use a small camera along with the laser to lower eye pressure, ultimately reducing or eliminating the need for an eye drop regimen moving forward.
-
Narrow Angle Glaucoma Treatment Peripheral Iridotomy (PI) Procedure
This outpatient laser procedure creates an alternate pathway where fluid can flow inside the eye and decreases risk for elevated eye pressure and angle closure glaucoma.
-
Selective Laser Technology (SLT)
This outpatient procedure uses a laser to safely reduce eye pressure in combination with drops or instead of medication. The laser drains your eye tissue, reducing pressure and allowing better passage of fluid through the eye in the future.
If you’d like to learn more about the different types of glaucoma and their treatment options, visit the glaucoma treatment page on our parent website.
Learn MoreA clearer future starts today.
Schedule a consultation.
For questions regarding our practice or general inquires contact us here.