Cataract Surgery With Glaucoma - Why They Influence One Another, How They Differ & Why You Need Combination Treatment
It’s a Complicated Connection
Cataracts and glaucoma commonly affect those over 65, as natural aging affects both the lens and the optic nerve, increasing the risk of developing both conditions. While these conditions are distinct and do not directly cause one another, they do influence one another. For example, glaucoma treatments like surgery or long-term steroid use can accelerate cataract formation. Similarly, cataract surgery may lower eye pressure in mild cases of primary open-angle glaucoma, offering dual benefits for patients managing both conditions.
Your Vision With Both – What Happens?
Cataracts cause a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurry vision and difficulty with everyday tasks. Glaucoma, on the other hand, involves increased intraocular pressure (IOP) that can damage the optic nerve, putting you at risk for permanent vision loss.
Why Does Combined Treatment Matter?
Using modern cataract surgery with glaucoma treatments at the same time makes it possible to streamline care and give you better vision and a better quality of life as someone with both conditions. Here’s why combined treatment matters:
- Streamlined Surgical Intervention. No need for multiple surgeries, reducing your stress and any inconveniences.
- Reduce Your Eye Pressure. Cataract surgery alone can lower intraocular pressure by 2-4 mmHg, with benefits lasting three years.
- Comprehensive Vision Restoration. Improve your eye health in one fell swoop with one procedure.
- Long-Term Benefits. Integrated treatment can decrease long-term healthcare costs and reduce the need for additional medications or interventions.
“Combined cataract surgery with glaucoma treatment often provides the best of both worlds – improved sight and better-controlled eye pressure.” – Brimhall Eye Surgical Team
3 Advancements in Cataract Surgery For Patients With Glaucoma - MIGS, Laser, and IOLs
At Brimhall Eye Center, we can combine cataract surgery with glaucoma-specific considerations, allowing us to deliver personalized treatment plans that remove your cataracts while prioritizing the right glaucoma treatment for better, long-term eye health. New innovations include:
1. Minimally-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS).
A promising development in glaucoma care is Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), a procedure designed to be less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgeries, offering a gentler way to handle eye pressure. MIGS techniques, like iStent and Kahook Dual Blade, provide precision-targeted IOP reduction while maintaining a low-risk profile. Benefits are:
- Outpatient procedures with minimal downtime.
- Can be completed while undergoing cataract surgery.
- You’ll spend less time using glaucoma medications.
- Provides long-term IOP control with drainage paths and slows disease progression.
Studies have shown that combining cataract surgery with MIGS leads to major boosts in vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) and reduces the need for medications, particularly in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma.
2. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.
Laser-assisted cataract surgery has transformed how cataracts are treated, especially in patients with coexisting glaucoma. This advanced technique uses computer-guided precision to enhance surgical outcomes, benefiting you by:
- Customized surgical planning tailored to each patient’s needs.
- Enhanced lens fragmentation for easier removal.
- Reduced manual intervention means less of the risks that come with traditional methods.
- Less tissue damage means swifter recovery.
For glaucoma patients, laser technology offers increased safety by reducing complications such as corneal damage or inflammation that could interfere with IOP management.
3. Advanced Intraocular Lens (IOL) Technologies.
If you’re undergoing cataract surgery with glaucoma, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of intraocular lenses (IOLs) that can give you a better visual range while keeping your contrast sensitivity.
See Your World Clearly Again at Brimhall Eye
Don’t let cataracts and glaucoma hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. Our caring team at Brimhall Eye Center is here to help you find the right surgical solutions for you. Ready to see the world more clearly? Schedule an appointment through our contact page or get in touch by calling (702) 263-2020, and let’s talk about how advanced cataract surgery with glaucoma treatment can make a real difference in your vision and eye health.
