Allina's Phillips Eye Institute offers Trabectome glaucoma treatment
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. 12/19/2009--Ophthalmologists at Phillips Eye Institute are using a new minimally invasive alternative to traditional glaucoma therapies called Trabectome®. Phillips Eye Institute, part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, is the first Trabectome Center in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
"People who are using multiple glaucoma medications are candidates for this procedure," says Joann Reed, MD, an ophthalmologist with HealthPartners who practices at the institute.
"Medications can be expensive, and many patients have trouble taking them. While all surgeries carry some risk, this procedure can reduce the number of medications patients need to take and makes controlling glaucoma easier."
What is Trabectome®?
Trabectome, developed by NeoMedix, Inc., is an FDA-cleared device that removes glaucoma-causing tissue, improves natural drainage pathways of the eye and eliminates pressure safely without the aid of mechanical implants or shunts.
The surgery is performed through a small incision and does not leave a permanent hole or bleb pocket in the eye wall. Patients return home the same day. The Trabectome procedure maintains a remarkably high success rate in reducing intraocular pressure -- IOP -- with minimum side effects.
For more about Trabectome®, visit www.trabectome.com.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment, affecting more than 3 million Americans and 69 million people worldwide.
Glaucoma is a damaging and progressive optic nerve disease, marked by elevated pressure inside the eye and gradual loss of vision. Traditional glaucoma medical approaches include multi-drug therapy and laser and surgical interventions.
"Glaucoma often does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. It is important for everyone, and particularly people over age 60, and people of African American or Hispanic descent over age 50, to have regular eye exams," Dr. Reed says.
About Phillips Eye Institute
Phillips Eye Institute is a nationally recognized specialty hospital dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders. The Institute draws patients from the five-state region and has a medical staff of 170 ophthalmologists. The Institute is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and other health care services.
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