that
is much
more successful than past methods.
An estimated three million Americans currently suffer
from glaucoma, a disease which is the leading cause of
blindness for African Americans.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually takes
away a person's sight-frequently without any warning or
noticeable symptoms-through pressure within the eye that
then causes damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is incurable,
however it is treatable. Left untreated the subsequent
loss of vision due to the disease is irreversible
Most early causes of glaucoma have traditionally been
treated using surgery, laser technology or eye drops,
which is the most common treatment. For more than a year,
however, a new procedure has been available that has received
scarce notice despite its proven track record of success.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses a combination
of frequencies of light allowing the laser to work at
very low levels of energy and has a success rate of over
90 percent, which is far ahead of any of the other traditional
procedures. Although the procedure only takes one minute,
it is totally painless and has no side effects. The other
procedures "were marginally successful," said
Dr. Mark Rubinstein, a doctor at the Michigan Eyecare
Institute, which offers the procedure at all three of
its offices in Southfield, Livonia, and Dearborn. For
example, the problem with the old form of laser surgery
was that it caused tissue damage, whereas SLT causes no
tissue damage at all. As for eyedrops, some of the side
effects included breathing problems, redness, tearing
and decreased vision. Additionally, most insurance companies
cover SLT and will reimburse up to $300 per eye for the
one-time procedure. With eyedrops the cost is around $140
per month for the rest of the patient's life.
Rubinstein noted that GDX scanning laser polymetry, which
diagnoses glaucoma earlier and more effectively than other
methods, has been available for about three years and
SLT has been available for over a year. But the procedures
are extremely underutilized because so few people have
heard about the new treatment and therefore continue to
rely on the older methods that don't work nearly as well.
When asked why African Americans suffer disproportionately
from glaucoma-Blacks are five times more likely to suffer
from glaucoma than Whites- Rubinstein said there was no
known medical reason why this continues to be the case,
although it could be genetic.
