What is ECP?
ECP is a safe and effective tool for the cataract and glaucoma surgeon. The doctors at Costello Eye Physicians & Surgeons routinely employ this device as a method of lowering the eye pressure. Often our patients are able to stop one or more of their glaucoma medications at the time of cataract surgery. The procedure is also available as a stand alone treatment in patients that have had cataract surgery in the past. This is an excellent alternative to invasive filtering surgery in patients with mild, moderate or severe glaucoma. We have been utilizing this treatment for years and have performed several thousand.
- ECP lowers eye pressure by decreasing aqueous fluid production. This is done by lasering the ciliary processes in the eye where this fluid is produced.
- Can be done with phacoemulsification (cataract surgery) or as stand alone procedure
- Tiny endoscopic camera with fiber-optic cable that emits laser
- Adds about 5 minutes to standard cataract surgery
Using a microscopic fiber-optic camera with an attached laser, the surgeon ablates the ciliary processes behind the iris. Aqueous fluid is made by these processes. When they are damaged, the eye will produce less fluid and the pressure is lowered.
If you are scheduling cataract surgery and treated for glaucoma, you may be able to have this procedure.
