Tests & Treatment for Glaucoma at University
of Colorado Hospital

Ophthalmologists at University of Colorado Hospital provide the highest level of expertise in diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including glaucoma.

In a recent Ophthalmology Times survey, UCH and the Ophthalmology Department at the University of Colorado School of Medicine were ranked in the Top 10 Best Clinical (Patient Care) programs.

Glaucoma tests

Your opthalmologist will conduct tests
to measure eye pressure.

To determine if you have glaucoma, your eye doctor will perform eye exams that include tests such as “Goldmann Tonometry” that indicates elevated pressure within the eye.

The Ophthalmology practice at UCH has state-of-the-art imaging machines that help identify glaucomatous changes in the back of the eye and guide treatment:

  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  • Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT )
  • GDx

Our ophthalmologists also use instruments that look at the front of the eye, such as high-resolution ultrasound and laser guided imaging such as the Visante anterior segment OCT.

Some at higher risk

People at increased risk for glaucoma should be screened at least every two years. Those at higher risk include:

  • African Americans over the age of 40
  • Anyone over the age of 60
  • People with a family history of glaucoma

Glaucoma treatments

Early treatment is important to prevent vision loss. Treatments include:

Prescription eyedrops or medicine. Some eyedrops can be effective in maintaining normal eye pressure.

Conventional surgery. Your ophthalmologist makes a new opening for the fluid to leave the eye, which relieves pressure. This may mean implanting a tube that directs the fluid away from the front of the eye.

UCH providers Dr. Malik Kahook and Dr. Douglas MacKenzie have extensive experience with this type of surgery and are actively involved in creating newer safer and more effective techniques. Success is achieved 60 – 80% of the time. Note that complications are possible and repeat operations may be necessary.

Laser trabeculoplasty. In this procedure, your eye doctor uses lasers to help the eye drain fluid more effectively. The lasers used are:

  • Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT)
  • Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)

Laser surgery. Two laser techniques can be used for decreasing eye pressure:

  • Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP)
  • Trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (TCP)

A new treatment soon?

Treating glaucoma non-invasively

Dr. Malik Kahook

Malik Kahook of UCH's Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute invented a device that he hopes can treat glaucoma non-invasively and, ultimately, more safely.

Inventor of the year

The university's Technology Transfer Office – which helps our researchers bring their inventions to market – has made him its "Inventor of the Year" for 2010. Up next are several more years of trials and tests to improve the invention.

Many physicians who practice as UCH are also known as scientists, inventors and practitioners of the latest proven treatments.

In a world where medical knowledge doubles every four years, that no mean task.