Glaucoma Treatment in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the passages that allow fluid in the eye to drain become clogged or blocked. This results in a build-up of fluid in the eye which causes an increase of pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure damages the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is the main carrier of vision information to the brain. Damage to it results in less information sent to the brain and loss of vision. Noticeable symptoms of glaucoma may be a gradual loss of side vision or blurred vision.

Left: iStent placement | Right: XEN placement

iSTENT - this new treatment device for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma and cataracts. This micro-bypass stent is implanted in the eye during cataract surgery and may help reduce or eliminate the need for eye drops in some patients. The stent is designed to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further vision loss due to glaucoma. This may be covered by an insurance check with your insurance representative.

XEN - This new gel stent replaces more invasive glaucoma surgeries. The XEN implant is the size of an eyelash. The procedure is painless and less invasive than cataract surgery. It is performed under mild sedation and takes less than five minutes as performed by Dr. Bucci. The XEN gel stent is covered by Medicare. People who usually qualify for this advanced glaucoma stent are:

1. those using 2 or more glaucoma drops
2. those who are becoming allergic or intolerant to their glaucoma medications
3. those who have had previous glaucoma surgery that has failed
4. those who are experiencing progressive vision loss from glaucoma