Ophthalmology

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Glaucoma Care and Anterior Segment Center

The USF Health Glaucoma Care and Anterior Segment Center is made up of specialists in the Ophthalmology field, who are dedicated to utilizing an extensive list of knowledge, resources and procedures to help with the life altering disease of Glaucoma. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of permanent blindness in the United States, after macular degeneration. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness.

Our board-certified providers are experts at diagnosing and managing virtually all types of glaucoma. Our clinic possesses state-of-the-art equipment for examining the eye, imaging the optic nerve, obtaining automated visual field tests, and performing multiple laser procedures. 

The Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Center is headed by Dr. Ramesh Ayyala and offers the most comprehensive glaucoma care in the region. The center is located within the USF Health Eye Institute at the Morsani Center

Risk Factors

Glaucoma is often referred to as the “thief of sight” because it progresses gradually, often with no obvious symptoms, robbing you of your precious gift of sight. It is estimated that only half of the people with glaucoma in the U.S. are aware they have the disease. In general, all adults over the age of 40 should have regular eye exams to rule out this disease.

In general, all adults over the age of 40 should have regular eye exams to rule out this disease. Younger people, however, are not exempt from having glaucoma, which can affect any age group. A complete eye exam is the only way to determine if you have glaucoma.

The exact cause of glaucoma is not known but there are risk factors associated with it, which include:

  • Age, people over 40
  • A family history of glaucoma
  • People of Hispanic, Asian or African decent
  • Long-term use of steroids
  • Eye pressure
  • Thinning optic nerve
  • Corneas with a thin center
  • Poor circulation, high blood pressure, migraines, and diabetes
  • Farsightedness or nearsightedness
  • Eye injuries

Services

  • Congenital Glaucoma
  • Juvenile Glaucoma
  • Primary Angle closure glaucoma
  • Acute angle closure glaucoma  
  • Chronic angle closure glaucoma
  • Nanophthalmos
  • Uveitic glaucoma
  • Neovascular glaucoma 
  • Cataract and glaucoma
  • Cornea and glaucoma
  • Corneal transplant and glaucoma  

Lasers Offered:

  • Selective laser Trabeculoplasty
  • Argon laser Trabeculoplasty
  • Argon laser Iridoplasty
  • YAG Peripheral Iridotomy 

  

Surgeries Offered:

  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) (OMNI, iStent, Kahook, GATT, Hydrus) 
  • Canaloplasty
  • Trabeculectomy with and without MMC 
  • Glaucoma drainage device implantation (Ahmed glaucoma valve, Baerveldt implant, Clearpath implant)  
  • Express shunt 
  • Cataract surgery in combination with various glaucoma surgeries 
  • Xen Implant 
  • Bleb revision with Amniotic membrane for leaky cystic blebs 
  • Choroidal effusion drainage 
  • Suprachoroidal hemorrhage drainage 
  • Endocyclophotocoagulation 
  • Cyclodialysis Cleft Repair 

Slit lamp Procedures: 

  • Paracentesis
  • Bleb revision with needling
  • Anti-scar tissue medication injection
  • Suturing of leaky blebs
  • Reformation of flat blebs 



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