WVU Eye Institute offering new glaucoma surgery
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Kenneth Mitchell, M.D., glaucoma specialist at the West Virginia University Eye Institute, is the first provider in the state to offer minimally invasive Trabectome surgery for open-angle glaucoma patients.
In open-angle glaucoma, fluid that normally passes through the pupil and drains through a special membrane called the trabecular meshwork becomes impaired and leads to an increase in eye pressure. Too much abnormal pressure damages the optic nerve, which can eventually lead to blindness.
Four types of treatments can lower pressure in the eye and prevent further damage to the optic nerve: medications, laser therapy, surgery and implants. When drug and laser treatments are not effective, surgery must be performed.
Dr. Mitchell said the two basic types of glaucoma surgery – trabeculectomy, which involves the removal of a piece of eye tissue and the implantation of a drainage tube in the eye – are safe and effective most of the time. But sometimes infection, scarring and accelerated development of cataracts occur.
The Trabectome procedure is much more effective and much safer, he said. It is done in an operating room and allows the surgeon to strip away layers of tissue that block the flow of fluid. The procedure can also be combined with cataract removal surgery, which can be done under the same anesthesia.
In addition, Trabectome patients are back to full activities the day after surgery. Patients who undergo trabeculectomy or implantation are often required to limit activity for up to two weeks.
Mitchell performed the state’s first Trabectome surgeries on Aug. 19. Norma Davis, 76, of Morgantown, was one of the first.
“(Dr. Mitchell) has a good bedside manner,” she said. “So far, I’m pleased.”
Mitchell said the patient will not notice results after the procedure because the goal of the surgery is to preserve sight not to improve it.
“It’s a sad situation because we can’t give back the vision that’s been lost,” he said. “But, we can slow it down so it doesn’t progress so quickly.”
For information on the WVU Eye Institute see health.wvu.edu/services/eye-institute.