ECP

Patients with glaucoma are at risk for significant vision loss – even blindness – and that is a scary thought for the millions of Americans who suffer from this disease.  The only treatment for glaucoma is to lower the pressure inside of the eye.  Speaking broadly, this is done by either causing the eye to make less fluid or allowing the fluid to better drain from the eye.
It is well proven that cataract surgery will decrease the pressure inside the eye, and thus lower the chance of glaucoma progressing. Great, but is there anything else we can do? Some cataract surgeons offer Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation, or ECP.

 Ok, that is a big word. What does it mean? ECP is a laser procedure performed at the same time as cataract surgery. It allows delivery of laser energy in a precise and efficient manner with a goal to lower the eye pressure even further. A study in the August 2014 Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery demonstrated that ECP helped lower the pressure even more that cataract surgery alone. This benefit lasted for at least 2 years after the procedure. Some patients were even able to stop some of their eye medications!

ECP has been in use for over 10 years, and Drs. Huff, Clary, Platt, and Bryan all perform it routinely with much success. If you have glaucoma and wish to inquire about this procedure, please call us at 803-256-0641.

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