Modern Glaucoma Treatment
Advanced Glaucoma Care at Dupage Eye Associates
Glaucoma treatment has progressed well beyond the “eye drops first” approach. At Dupage Eye Associates, our specialists use advanced in-office laser and minimally invasive surgical options that safely reduce eye pressure — helping protect your sight and simplify your day-to-day care routine.
Why We Often Begin with SLT
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a gentle laser procedure that enhances your eye’s natural drainage system, allowing fluid to flow more efficiently. This treatment effectively lowers intraocular pressure without adding more prescription drops to your routine.
SLT is known for its excellent safety record, can be repeated if pressure rises, and often allows patients to reduce or even stop using daily glaucoma drops. Because SLT is considered a medical procedure, it’s typically billed through medical insurance rather than vision plans. Our staff will verify your coverage before treatment and review any out-of-pocket costs with you in advance.
Quick Facts About SLT
- Takes about 5–10 minutes per eye
- Only numbing drops are needed — no injections or stitches
- Most patients resume normal activities the same day
- Pressure-lowering results appear over several days to a few weeks
- Benefits often last several years and the procedure can be repeated later if needed
What to Expect During the Appointment
During SLT, you’ll sit at a slit-lamp microscope (the same instrument used during routine eye exams). After numbing drops are applied, a small contact lens is placed on the eye to guide the laser to the drainage area. You may experience mild blurred vision for a few hours, but most patients return to their usual routines right away. Follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your eye pressure and treatment response.
Who Is a Candidate?
SLT is commonly recommended for people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are looking for reliable pressure control with fewer daily medications. Your Dupage Eye Associates specialist will help determine if this option is the best fit for your needs and stage of disease.
Watch SLT in Action
Learn how SLT works and what you can expect before, during, and after your treatment.
When Additional Pressure-Lowering Is Needed
If SLT alone doesn’t bring your eye pressure to the desired level — or if you’re planning cataract surgery — our surgeons may recommend a Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) procedure. These advanced techniques either enhance your eye’s natural fluid outflow or create a new pathway for drainage. MIGS procedures are performed through very small incisions and typically offer quicker recovery and less disruption to daily life than traditional glaucoma surgery.
Other Options to Control Eye Pressure
In some cases, additional minimally invasive options may be used alone or in combination with cataract surgery to further improve eye pressure control:
- Micro-stents that keep drainage channels open
- Trimming or removing tiny areas of blocked tissue to reduce resistance
- Cleansing and widening the main drainage channel to restore flow
- For advanced cases, a small surface shunt that reroutes fluid to a safe reservoir
Your Treatment, Your Plan
At Dupage Eye Associates, we personalize every glaucoma treatment plan based on your diagnosis, disease stage, target pressure, and overall eye health. Our focus is always the same — protecting your vision while reducing the burden of daily treatment.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma or elevated eye pressure, SLT may be a safe and effective first-line option. Contact Dupage Eye Associates to schedule a comprehensive exam and discuss the best plan for your long-term eye health.
Glaucoma treatment has progressed well beyond the “eye drops first” approach. At Dupage Eye Associates, our specialists use advanced in-office laser and minimally invasive surgical options that safely reduce eye pressure — helping protect your sight and simplify your day-to-day care routine.
Why We Often Begin with SLT
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a gentle laser procedure that enhances your eye’s natural drainage system, allowing fluid to flow more efficiently. This treatment effectively lowers intraocular pressure without adding more prescription drops to your routine.
SLT is known for its excellent safety record, can be repeated if pressure rises, and often allows patients to reduce or even stop using daily glaucoma drops. Because SLT is considered a medical procedure, it’s typically billed through medical insurance rather than vision plans. Our staff will verify your coverage before treatment and review any out-of-pocket costs with you in advance.
Quick Facts About SLT
- Takes about 5–10 minutes per eye
- Only numbing drops are needed — no injections or stitches
- Most patients resume normal activities the same day
- Pressure-lowering results appear over several days to a few weeks
- Benefits often last several years and the procedure can be repeated later if needed
What to Expect During the Appointment
During SLT, you’ll sit at a slit-lamp microscope (the same instrument used during routine eye exams). After numbing drops are applied, a small contact lens is placed on the eye to guide the laser to the drainage area. You may experience mild blurred vision for a few hours, but most patients return to their usual routines right away. Follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your eye pressure and treatment response.
Who Is a Candidate?
SLT is commonly recommended for people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are looking for reliable pressure control with fewer daily medications. Your Dupage Eye Associates specialist will help determine if this option is the best fit for your needs and stage of disease.
Watch SLT in Action
Learn how SLT works and what you can expect before, during, and after your treatment.
When Additional Pressure-Lowering Is Needed
If SLT alone doesn’t bring your eye pressure to the desired level — or if you’re planning cataract surgery — our surgeons may recommend a Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) procedure. These advanced techniques either enhance your eye’s natural fluid outflow or create a new pathway for drainage. MIGS procedures are performed through very small incisions and typically offer quicker recovery and less disruption to daily life than traditional glaucoma surgery.
Other Options to Control Eye Pressure
In some cases, additional minimally invasive options may be used alone or in combination with cataract surgery to further improve eye pressure control:
- Micro-stents that keep drainage channels open
- Trimming or removing tiny areas of blocked tissue to reduce resistance
- Cleansing and widening the main drainage channel to restore flow
- For advanced cases, a small surface shunt that reroutes fluid to a safe reservoir
Your Treatment, Your Plan
At Dupage Eye Associates, we personalize every glaucoma treatment plan based on your diagnosis, disease stage, target pressure, and overall eye health. Our focus is always the same — protecting your vision while reducing the burden of daily treatment.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma or elevated eye pressure, SLT may be a safe and effective first-line option. Contact Dupage Eye Associates to schedule a comprehensive exam and discuss the best plan for your long-term eye health.
