EXPLORE
Surgical Glaucoma Treatment in Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg
Glaucoma can quietly damage vision before you notice symptoms. At Gulfcoast Eye Care, our physicians diagnose and treat glaucoma early so patients in Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg can protect their vision and continue enjoying everyday life.
Our team will explain each step clearly so you understand your options and feel confident moving forward. Scheduling a consultation is the first step toward protecting your vision.
Schedule An Appointment Today
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA
Understanding Glaucoma: Why Eye Pressure Matters
Inside the eye, a clear fluid called aqueous humor constantly circulates to nourish eye tissues.
This fluid normally drains through the trabecular meshwork, which is part of the eye’s natural drainage system located in the drainage angle.
If the trabecular meshwork cannot drain fluid efficiently, pressure in the eye rises. Glaucoma treatments work by helping fluid drain more effectively or by reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces.
GLAUCOMA RISK FACTORS
Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain factors increase the risk. Risk factors include:
- Age over 60
- High pressure in the eye
- Family history of glaucoma
- African American ancestry
- Hispanic or Latin American ancestry
- Type 2 diabetes
- Severe myopia (nearsightedness)
The Tampa Bay area has a large population of older adults, and glaucoma risk increases with age. Adults without symptoms should receive a comprehensive eye exam by age 40. Our eye doctor will recommend how often follow-up exams should occur.
The Most Common Types of Glaucoma
There are many forms of glaucoma. Most develop when fluid cannot drain properly through the eye’s drainage system, causing pressure to rise and damage the optic nerve.
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma:
The most common type, where the drainage angle is open but the trabecular meshwork does not drain fluid efficiently, causing pressure in the eye to rise slowly.
Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma:
The drainage angle gradually becomes blocked over time, allowing pressure to build and damage the optic nerve.
Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma:
Protein deposits accumulate inside the eye and clog the drainage system, increasing pressure in the eye.
Angle Closure Glaucoma:
The drainage angle becomes blocked, preventing fluid from leaving the eye and causing a rapid increase in pressure in the eye.
Pigmentary Glaucoma:
Pigment released from the iris, the colored part of the eye, blocks the trabecular meshwork and interferes with fluid drainage.
Neovascular Glaucoma:
Abnormal blood vessels grow across the drainage angle and prevent fluid from draining properly.
GLAUCOMA EVALUATION
How Glaucoma Is Diagnosed
There is no single test that can diagnose glaucoma. A complete eye examination is needed to evaluate several aspects of eye health. Testing may include:
- Measuring pressure in the eye
- Examining the drainage angle
- Testing peripheral vision
- Evaluating the optic nerve for damage
These tests help determine whether glaucoma is present and which treatment approach is most appropriate.
GLAUCOMA TREATMENTS
Glaucoma Treatment Options at Gulfcoast Eye Care
The goal of treating glaucoma is to lower pressure in the eye and protect the optic nerve from damage. Treatment plans may include:
- Eye drops that lower eye pressure
- Laser treatments that improve fluid drainage
- Surgical procedures that create new drainage pathways
These treatments help preserve vision so patients can continue everyday activities such as driving, reading, and working.
Laser Treatments for Glaucoma
Laser treatments are commonly used to lower pressure in the eye and improve how fluid moves through the eye’s drainage system.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Selective laser trabeculoplasty SLT is a common laser surgery used to treat open-angle glaucoma.
- Eye drops numb the eye
- A lens is placed on the eye
- A laser treats the trabecular meshwork
This stimulates the drainage system, allowing fluid to leave the eye more effectively and may reduce the need for eye drops.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
Laser peripheral iridotomy is often used to treat angle-closure glaucoma.
- A laser creates a small opening in the iris, the colored part of the eye
- The opening allows fluid to move between chambers in the eye
- Pressure in the eye is reduced
This treatment helps prevent future episodes of angle closure glaucoma.
INVASIVE GLAUCOMA SURGERY
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
When medications and laser treatments do not lower pressure enough, our eye doctors may recommend minimally invasive glaucoma surgery MIGS.
These glaucoma surgical procedures use tiny implants to improve the eye’s drainage system. Common MIGS Procedures include:
- iStent: A tiny implant that creates a pathway through the trabecular meshwork, helping fluid drain from the eye.
- Hydrus Microstent: A device placed in the drainage canal that expands part of the drainage system to improve fluid flow.
- Xen Gel Stent: A soft implant that creates a pathway for fluid to drain to a small space beneath the white part of the eye.
GLAUCOMA SURGICAL TREATMENT
Trabeculectomy: Filtering Surgery for Glaucoma
Some patients need a more established surgical treatment for glaucoma when other treatments are not enough to control pressure in the eye. Filtering surgery helps lower eye pressure by creating a new pathway that allows fluid to drain when the eye’s natural drainage system is no longer working effectively.
The most common glaucoma surgical procedure in this category is trabeculectomy, often called filtering surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a small drainage channel that allows excess fluid to collect beneath the eyelid, reducing pressure in the eye and helping protect the optic nerve from further damage.
Protect Your Vision With the Right Glaucoma Treatment in Tampa Bay, FL
When glaucoma is managed effectively, patients can continue activities that matter most, such as reading, driving, and enjoying daily life in the Tampa Bay community.
At Gulfcoast Eye Care, patients receive personalized eye care from experienced eye doctors, who guide them through every stage of treatment. Our team proudly serves patients throughout Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, and St. Petersburg.