Microscopic Stents Help Lower Eye Pressure in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and its prevalence will continue to increase as our population ages. For most patients, the initial treatment for glaucoma will begin with eye drops or laser treatment, or even both. Patients often have a difficult time adhering to a schedule of single or even multiple doses of eye drops and thus find an initial laser treatment beneficial. Sometimes even with eye drops and laser treatment for glaucoma it is not possible to lower the intraocular pressure enough to reduce the risk of vision loss. For these patients there has been the next step of complex incisional glaucoma surgery. Recent advances in Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) using microscopic stents has been shown to provide excellent results for many glaucoma patients. Reports in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery of patients who had iStent-a tiny titanium stent-implanted through a microscopic incision, had excellent pressure lowering and even were able to reduce their need for eye drops! The data shared was from a long term 5 year clinical study and offers great promise for glaucoma patients.

The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is by having regular eye exams and glaucoma testing as recommended by your eye doctor. Schedule an eye exam at at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are conveniently located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.          

Glaucoma Risk in Migraine Sufferers

Did you know that if you suffer from migraines you are at greater risk for developing glaucoma? There are many risk factors that can influence the likelihood that you will develop glaucoma. These include factors such as high pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure or IOP, your family history-especially if your siblings have glaucoma, smoking, sleep apnea, diabetes and other vascular diseases, race-as patients of African-American heritage and Hispanic backgrounds are at greater risk and even the age of onset of menopause. Recently, researchers reported on a study where they found that patients who suffered from migraines had 1.68 times the risk of the average patient for developing glaucoma. When you visit us for your routine eye exam please share whether you have ever experienced a migraine and whether you currently have even an occasional migraine headache.

If you or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches it is important to have regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as migraines increase the risk of glaucoma! Schedule an eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are conveniently located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.           

Glaucoma Risk & Cholesterol Medication

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, is a condition where pressure commonly builds up in the eye and affects the optic nerve. Recent research suggests that statins-cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease-also lower intraocular pressure and promote blood flow to the optic nerve, which may help lower glaucoma risk.

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston have reported on a study in JAMA Ophthalmology demonstrating that taking statins for five or more years is associated with lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. Their study suggests that there are possible protective associations beyond cardiovascular conditions offered by long-term statin use. Statins may strengthen neuroprotective mechanisms that prevent degeneration of cells in the optic nerve. The results showed that use of statins for five years or longer, versus never using statins, are associated with a 21 percent lower chance of primary open-angle glaucoma and that elevated cholesterol levels may heighten glaucoma risk. They also cautioned that the findings do not mean that individuals with family histories of glaucoma should use statins or other cholesterol medications for glaucoma prevention. Randomized clinical trials will be needed to determine if a causal link exists between statin use and glaucoma prevention before physicians can recommend statins for lowering risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. Particularly in elderly populations, statins have potential side effects, including risk of muscle damage and liver or kidney dysfunction.

If you or someone you know is concerned about your risk of glaucoma please schedule an eye exam and glaucoma testing at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are conveniently located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.