McFarland Eye Centers

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects more than 3 million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness in this country. Over 35,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. At least half of the people who have the disease are unaware of it, because glaucoma does not have any noticeable symptoms. While there is no known cure for glaucoma, it can be controlled, but only if it is detected early.

McFarland Eye Centers now offers a state-of-the-art laser-imaging device for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and macular degeneration. This instrument is call an Ocular Coherence Tomographer (OCT) and is available to our patients in Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and Little Rock. It gives our doctors a detailed assessment of both the optic nerve, which can be affected by glaucoma; and the retina, which can be affected by macular degeneration, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases.

The OCT uses laser-scanning techniques to create a three-dimensional evaluation of the retina and optic nerve. This scan allows the McFarland doctors to monitor microscopic changes from glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other retinal diseases. These are potentially sight-threatening conditions that need to be closely followed to prevent vision loss, and the OCT allows us to do that quickly, efficiently, and without any discomfort to our patients.

The OCT also provides Dr. McFarland valuable information about the health of the eye prior to cataract surgery. A cloudy natural lens obscures a direct view of the back of the eye, but this revolutionary laser technology can help determine the potential for good vision after cataract surgery.

Every day, we use the results from our detailed eye examinations and the information gathered from the OCT and other diagnostic equipment to help all our patients maintain the best vision possible.

Groups at high risk for glaucoma are:

African Americans

people over 60

family members of those already diagnosed

diabetics

people who are severely nearsighted.

There are no warning signs or symptoms of glaucoma until serious loss of vision has occurred. Once vision is lost due to glaucoma, the vision cannot be restored. In most cases, glaucoma can controlled with medication or surgery, but early detection is the key. The best way to protect your vision from glaucoma is to be tested by an eye doctor once a year, especially if you are high risk for this serious disease.

ECP: The better alternative

Cataracts and glaucoma are serious conditions that can cause loss of vision. As people age, the possibility of cataract development or glaucoma diagnosis rises. In fact, many who are past age 60 have both. There are several options available to treat cataracts and glaucoma separately, but a procedure called ECP can treat both cataracts and glaucoma during the same surgery.

ECP (Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation) is a process that uses laser energy to control glaucoma. It is a fast outpatient procedure that can reduce or eliminate the need for expensive eye drops and give you freedom from glaucoma medications. Better still, it can be performed during your cataract removal, so no separate surgical procedure is necessary.

Dr. McFarland is the only Ophthalmologist in the state that performs the ECP procedure and is the most experienced in performing this procedure nationwide.