Glaucoma Treatment at Bassett Healthcare Network
March 4, 2019Categories: Eye Care, MyHealthy Decisions
An artist's vision
After having a vision-preserving procedure to treat her glaucoma, Jean Manley, 91, is back to her usual activities, including reading, drawing and driving.
"There was no question that I would have the surgery," says Manley, an Oneonta resident. "I was hugely concerned that nothing happen to my vision. Eyes are so precious."
After a lengthy career as a graphic artist, Manley is still passionate about illustrating in ink and charcoal.
An Invisible Threat
Glaucoma is an eye condition affecting the optic nerve and is characterized by elevated internal (or intraocular) eye pressure. Damage from the elevated pressure causes loss of vision.
"The thing about glaucoma is that there is no pain, and patients do not notice anything wrong, yet they can have glaucoma resulting in permanent vision loss," says Jack Manns, MD, Bassett Healthcare Network ophthalmologist. "That's why it is very important for all adults to have regular complete eye exams."
A complete eye exam means the eye is dilated and special instruments are used to check for glaucoma and other disorders. Treatments for glaucoma range from eye drops to surgical lasers and surgical procedures.
The type of treatment depends on how advanced the condition is and the type of glaucoma.
"It's important to note that surgery is done to stop the disease from progressing. It doesn't restore any vision loss due to glaucoma," says Dr. Manns. "On Ms. Manley, I performed glaucoma shunt surgery, where a flexible tube drainage device is implanted in the eye to divert aqueous humor (the fluid inside the eye) from the inside of the eye to the outside. She has had a good result from the treatment."
In Manley's case, glaucoma surgery was performed on her right eye, and since the disease was treated early enough, her vision was preserved. Manley says that one of her friends with glaucoma told her she had an upcoming appointment with Dr. Manns. "I told her she should be very happy." Manley is back to getting together with her art group, drawing and reading her mystery and poetry books.
