Local Glaucoma Surgeon Uses Safe, Effective and Compassionate Approach to Glaucoma Treatment
New technology offers a convenient out-patient procedure
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment affecting approximately 3 million Americans, and 69 million people worldwide. A damaging and progressive optic nerve disease, glaucoma is marked by elevated pressure inside the eye and gradual loss of vision. Traditional glaucoma medical approaches include multi-drug therapy, lasers, and surgical interventions.
Now there is another option. Dr. Rashed Nizam, board certified Ophthalmologist, and a member of the medical staff at Moberly Regional Medical Center offers patients Trabectome®, a minimally invasive technology that provides a viable alternative to traditional glaucoma therapies. The first surgery using Trabectome was performed at Moberly Regional Medical Center on July 10, 2012, and Dr. Nizam is the only physician who is performing this surgery in the central Missouri area.
Trabectome is an FDA-cleared device (NeoMedix Corp.). It is a probe that open’s the eye’s drainage system through a tiny incision in the eye’s cornea. Dr. Nizam states;
“This procedure is basically a three-step process that takes approximately 30 minutes. First, a tiny incision is made across the chamber of the affected eye. Then, the diseased tissue is removed using an electrosurgical pulse, followed by tissue debris removal using saline to wash out the eye.”
The surgery is performed through a small incision and does not leave a permanent hole or bleb pocket in the eye wall. The Trabectome procedure maintains a remarkably high success rate in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), with minimum side effects.
According to Dr. Nizam, the Trabectome procedure maybe suitable for glaucoma patients who:
• Are undergoing a cataract extraction
• Have failed or need an alternative to laser surgeries
• Requires a less invasive surgery then Trabeculectomy or implants
• Are on maximal or allergic to certain medications
• On average, patients return home within three to four hours of this minimally invasive procedure.
Moberly Regional Medical Center is proud to join the list of distinguished facilities who now offer this effective glaucoma procedure. Currently, there are 134 Trabectome Centers in the United States and 248 internationally. The Trabectome procedure is also used at some of the most prestigious hospitals in the country, including Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary (Harvard Medical School), the Mayo Clinic, Doheny Eye Institute, the University of Iowa, and several others. For a list of additional locations, please visit www.trabectome.com.
The first sign of glaucoma is a loss of peripheral vision that is usually not noticed by the patient until it affects the central vision. Unfortunately, vision lost to glaucoma can't be restored so treatment aims to reduce eye pressure to prevent further damage.
Glaucoma screenings are suggested for anyone over the age of 40 every two to four years. A routine exam can help identify risk for glaucoma and early signs of the disease. Risk factors for glaucoma include: a family history of the disease, African or Hispanic ancestry, diabetes, certain rare eye diseases and having had an eye injury or having used any corticosteroid preparation for a prolonged period.
“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to offer this service and greatly appreciate Moberly Hospital for purchasing this instrumentation on behalf of patients in our community,” Dr. Nizam shares. “I believe this treatment greatly improves my patient’s chances for post-operative comfort and management of this disease.”
Rashed Nizam, MD, Ophthalmologist has been providing vision care services in the Moberly area since August of 2000. For more information on glaucoma, glaucoma screenings, or various treatment options, contact Rashed Nizam, MD at the Mid-Missouri Eye Center in Moberly at 660-263-0404, or go online at www.drnizam.net.