Questions and Answers | Q&As

October 3, 2016 QUESTION: I had canaloplasty performed in both eyes July of this year. My surgeon said it didn’t work because my drainage system passed the Canal of Schlems was completely clogged up. My eye pressures have stayed higher, … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dr. Richardson: About 6 months ago I wrote letters to 6 glaucoma specialists in ******. I was hoping to find a doctor who wasn’t wedded to trabeculectomies, and was willing to consider other surgical procedures, such as canaloplasty. Eventually … Continue reading →

ANSWER: One of the common misconceptions about Canaloplasty is that it eliminates the future option a Trabeculectomy . It’s also, sadly, one of the more common reasons patients chose not to have Canaloplasty when their glaucoma is severe enough that … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply. I’m in Chicago area. Is there anyone you know of that I can see in this area? Thank you S**** ANSWER: Hello S**** , The only canaloplasty surgeon I can personally and professionally recommend “near” you … Continue reading →

January 13, 2017 QUESTION: Thank you for the recent information about Canaloplasty. I was unable to deduce from what I read whether or not this procedure can significantly reduce IOP. Also as we are Canadians in Vancouver, does Doctor Ahmed … Continue reading →

ANSWER: Of all the causes of irreversible blindness, glaucoma tops the list. No other condition causes as much permanent loss of vision as does glaucoma. If we include all types of blinding conditions (even reversible ones) glaucoma is still ranked … Continue reading →

QUESTION: My daughter has glaucoma. Can I make an appointment for her to see you? ****** ANSWER: Having a daughter myself, my heart goes out to anyone with a child with glaucoma. It is especially heartbreaking for the parents as … Continue reading →

March 27, 2017 QUESTION: I have glaucoma and is totally blind in the right eye. I protect both eyes using Lumigan eye drops. I’m assured by specialists here that glaucoma is incurable. As I have told you my right eye … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hi. I wanted to ask as I found an article about goji wolf berries in helping with glaucoma… article on your website. Im trying to find a holistic approach that take everything into consideration, nutrition etc. So, Dr. Richardson, … Continue reading →

April 11, 2017 QUESTION: Hi Doctor, can someone with a severe Glaucoma use computer regularly to work? via Email ANSWER: There is no reliable research suggesting that computer use would be damaging to someone with glaucoma. Indeed, specialized LCD screens … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Could you please let me know, do you perform cataract surgery for children? Currently I am searching for the best surgeon for my daughter, 5 years old… ****** ANSWER: Dear ******, Although I do not perform surgery on children, … Continue reading →

ANSWER: If the cataract is significant then vision often improves after cataract surgery even with a mild macular pucker.  That being said, if the pucker is significant the vision will still be limited by the retinal distortion. Swelling of the macula … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Dr. Richardson, I need to maintain IOP of around 14 which I have with drops currently. Is Canaloplasty still an option for me? I am due for cataract surgery and I am very interested in Canaloplasty. Thanks, ****** … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hello David; Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I did receive my records but upon referral of my PCP, I wanted to see another ophthalmologist to get a second opinion regarding whether or not … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Ana, thank you for your email. My name is ******. I’m from Indonesia. I’m 40 year old. I found Dr. Richardson website just one day before my trabeculectomy operation. I have canceled the operation and want to find … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hi, Sir I’ve heard a lot about you as a glucoma specialist. I have glaucoma for five years already on my left eye. I’ve underwent surgery twice under the same doctor, Dr ******. So, please help me on the treatment. Also, … Continue reading →

May 18, 2018 QUESTION: Dr Richardson, Canaloplasty did not work for me. My glaucoma is too advanced and it failed. My pressure shot up to 50. I am now going to Bascom Palmer. They say advanced glaucoma does not do … Continue reading →

August 30, 2018 QUESTION: Are you dilating then performing Gonioscopy Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT) or just straight viscodilation? via Email ANSWER: With regard to leaving or removing the trabecular meshwork (TM), I leave it intact as the literature is supportive … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Ana, thank you for your email. My name is ******. I’m from Indonesia. I’m 40 year old. I found Dr. Richardson website just one day before my trabeculectomy operation. I have canceled the operation and want to find … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Dr Richardson, As an advancing OAG patient, I have for some time now been interested in the canaloplasty procedure. In Australia, however, where I live, no glaucoma specialist is yet performing this surgery. Of course, the overriding reason … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hello Dr, my dad is 73 and suffering from glaucoma and he already lost 80% of his vision, he is using 2 drops twice a day. Can he benefit of canaloplasty surgery to prevent losing his vision completely, and where … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hope I am not inconveniencing you in anyway by sending this email directly to you. I would like to know if you can help me with my glaucoma if I come to your clinic in California. I live in Missouri. … Continue reading →

QUESTION: I was told by my surgeon that Canaloplasty only works for about six months after which the drainage system blocks up again. Is this true? via Email ANSWER: This statement is simply not supported by either the literature or the … Continue reading →

June 22, 2017 QUESTION: I have had AB Interno Canaloplasty with Goniotomy last Tuesday. Wednesday, when my pressure was checked, it was 35. My Dr immediately number my eye and explained he cut through my mesh because it got clogged … Continue reading →

May 18, 2018 QUESTION: Dr Richardson, Canaloplasty did not work for me. My glaucoma is too advanced and it failed. My pressure shot up to 50. I am now going to Bascom Palmer. They say advanced glaucoma does not do … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hi Doctor Richardson. Thank you so much for your email. Does it mean if I have angle closure glaucoma, canaloplasty is not suitable for me? I have asked to my previous opthamologist who did iridotomy, and she quite sure … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dr. Richardson: About 6 months ago I wrote letters to 6 glaucoma specialists in ******. I was hoping to find a doctor who wasn’t wedded to trabeculectomies, and was willing to consider other surgical procedures, such as canaloplasty. Eventually … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Dr. Richardson My wife is 69 years old and suffers from low tension glaucoma, which has been treated with eyedrops over the past ten years, and she also had one laser surgery. She has recently seen three different … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hello David; Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I did receive my records but upon referral of my PCP, I wanted to see another ophthalmologist to get a second opinion regarding whether or not … Continue reading →

August 26, 2016 QUESTION: I’ve heard that you are a glaucoma specialist. I have this problem for 5 yrs now in my left eye. I underwent surgery twice at **** hospital with Dr. ***. Please help me. Please send me … Continue reading →

QUESTION: My mother, ****** (68yrs) is suffering from glaucoma for 25years. Can you arrange a microchip treatment for her? Thank you, ****** ANSWER: Dear ******, I’m afraid there are currently no FDA approved microchips available for the treatment of glaucoma. Perhaps … Continue reading →

February 18, 2017 QUESTION: Will the canaloplasty surgery work for everybody? How about AqueSys Xen treatment, which could be available in US soon? A friend of mine has glaucoma that were treated with a couple of surgeries but not quite … Continue reading →

February 7, 2017 QUESTION: I have glaucoma and also need to have cataract surgery and I understand that these two surgeries are now combined for better effect. I am in Australia but I am looking at coming on a visit … Continue reading →

ANSWER: In general most doctors will try drops first and reserve surgery for more advanced (or recalcitrant) glaucoma. In someone who is young and in whom the drops are not working or tolerated, surgery is a reasonable option. Those who … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Dr Richardson, I’m a 38 year old from Malta (Europe) and I discovered I had glaucoma in [month hidden] 2013. I’ve had two visual field tests and most recent one shows no further deterioration. It seems my right eye … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hello David; Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I did receive my records but upon referral of my PCP, I wanted to see another ophthalmologist to get a second opinion regarding whether or not … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Ana, thank you for your email. My name is ******. I’m from Indonesia. I’m 40 year old. I found Dr. Richardson website just one day before my trabeculectomy operation. I have canceled the operation and want to find … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dr. Richardson: About 6 months ago I wrote letters to 6 glaucoma specialists in ******. I was hoping to find a doctor who wasn’t wedded to trabeculectomies, and was willing to consider other surgical procedures, such as canaloplasty. Eventually … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hello David; Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I did receive my records but upon referral of my PCP, I wanted to see another ophthalmologist to get a second opinion regarding whether or not … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Is it possible to have canaloplasty evaluation and operation at the same day? ANSWER: Yes. So long as Ana has all of the information required by the hospital it could be done. However, the in-office examination requires dilation. Unless … Continue reading →

ANSWER: Most surgeons can complete Canaloplasty in 45 minutes. I’m slow (and a bit obsessive-compulsive) so I may take over an hour if needed. It’s my belief (shared by the “father” of Canaloplasty, Robert Stegmann) that the incision needs to … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dear Ana, thank you for your email. My name is ******. I’m from Indonesia. I’m 40 year old. I found Dr. Richardson website just one day before my trabeculectomy operation. I have canceled the operation and want to find … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dr. Richardson, I think I am going to have to have a canaloplasty on my right eye soon. I have already lost all vision in my left eye due to several cornea transplants that were rejected. I am very … Continue reading →

QUESTION: David, I am from Australia and have advanced glaucoma – I have been advised by Dr Richard Lewis of Sacramento that I am a suitable candidate for getting Canoplasty surgery. I haven’t been able to secure an appointment date. … Continue reading →

November 5, 2018 QUESTION [from an eye surgeon]: I’m planning to start trying iTrack, after using iStents for 4 years now. Any advice on the good, bad, and ugly with this type of canaloplasty? Thanks, via Email ANSWER: When it … Continue reading →

QUESTION: What would the approximate total cost for canaloplasty be ? ANSWER: Dear Mr. ******, You can find the self-pay fee schedule here: Schedule of Fees. If you have PPO insurance it might reimburse you for a portion of the … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Dr. Richardson: Thank-you for this information. I am a resident of Northern California (Mendocino County). I will soon have a new Covered California Silver 87 plan that will provide much better coverage. The plan is through Anthem Blue Cross. … Continue reading →

ANSWER: The good news with regard to insurance coverage is that canaloplasty is covered by most major insurances including Medicare. Although there are some smaller insurance companies and HMOs that do not currently cover canaloplasty as of early 2012, more … Continue reading →

QUESTION: My daughter has glaucoma. Can I make an appointment for her to see you? ****** ANSWER: Having a daughter myself, my heart goes out to anyone with a child with glaucoma. It is especially heartbreaking for the parents as … Continue reading →

ANSWER: Canaloplasty is a form of Non-Penetrating Glaucoma Surgery (NPGS). “Non-penetrating” just means that the wall of the eye is not cut all the way through. In theory (and often in practice) this means that a bleb and its associated … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply. I’m in Chicago area. Is there anyone you know of that I can see in this area? Thank you S**** ANSWER: Hello S**** , The only canaloplasty surgeon I can personally and professionally recommend “near” you … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hello David; Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I did receive my records but upon referral of my PCP, I wanted to see another ophthalmologist to get a second opinion regarding whether or not … Continue reading →

October 4, 2016 QUESTION: IIs there a canoloplasty surgeon available in India, particularly in Mumbai? via Email ANSWER: The only canaloplasty surgeon I know of in India is Dr. Ganesh Venkataraman at the Aravind Eye Institute. Warm regards, David Richardson, … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Could you please let me know, do you perform cataract surgery for children? Currently I am searching for the best surgeon for my daughter, 5 years old… ****** ANSWER: Dear ******, Although I do not perform surgery on children, … Continue reading →

ANSWER: “Will I go blind?” is one of the most commonly asked questions by patients newly diagnosed with glaucoma. There was a time not so long ago when the answer to this question was an unqualified “yes”. Being diagnosed with … Continue reading →

ANSWER: I certainly understand that not everyone can afford to pay out of pocket for their health care. That is why I have worked hard to keep my overhead low and my fees reasonable. Indeed, if you have a high … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Are sudden vision changes from taking melatonin reversible in Glaucoma patients? K. Hallmark‎ via Facebook ANSWER: I’m not aware of Melatonin causing sudden vision changes. Indeed, Melatonin is occasionally recommended for those with glaucoma in order to protect from … Continue reading →

QUESTION: I have glaucoma and am totally blind in the right eye. I protect both eyes using lumigan eye drops. I am told by specialists here that glaucoma is incurable. My right eye is 100% dead. What’s your opinion? via … Continue reading →

December 12, 2016 QUESTION: Hello, my name is M*** and my grandmother is suffering for glaucoma. One of her eyes has lost total vision and the other one is soon going to be lost too. Is there anyway she could … Continue reading →

February 26, 2017 QUESTION: I asked you about canaloplasty surgery and you did reply to me quickly, thank you. Based on what you’ve described, it appears that my friend’s case may not be suitable for the procedure. The diagnostics of … Continue reading →

March 15, 2017 QUESTION: Hi Dr. Richardson, in your opinion which is better- tube shunt or trabeculectomy? I am left with a decision and neither one looks better to me but from what I been told my only choice left … Continue reading →

November 7, 2016 QUESTION: Hello, my name is M*** and my grandmother is suffering for glaucoma. One of her eyes has lost total vision and the other one is soon going to be lost too. Is their anyway she could … Continue reading →

ANSWER: Dear ******, In general that is true if Mitomycin-C (MMC) is used. However, that extra IOP lowering comes at a cost and I’m not talking about dollars. The price is paid in risk: risk of loss of vision, hypotony … Continue reading →

ANSWER: Dear ******, This is not a question that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. It depends upon whether the canal was cut through during creation of the trabeculectomy site. In general it is much easier to … Continue reading →

QUESTION: My daughter has glaucoma. Can I make an appointment for her to see you? ****** ANSWER: Having a daughter myself, my heart goes out to anyone with a child with glaucoma. It is especially heartbreaking for the parents as … Continue reading →

ANSWER: Only in the sense that lack of sleep tends to result in dry eyes.   Warm regards, David Richardson, MD Patient-Focused Ophthalmologist San Marino Eye 2020 Huntington Drive San Marino, CA 91108 626.289.7856 Patient-Focused Websites: New-Glaucoma-Treatments.com About-Eyes.com Date: May 6, … Continue reading →

June 22, 2017 QUESTION: I have had AB Interno Canaloplasty with Goniotomy last Tuesday. Wednesday, when my pressure was checked, it was 35. My Dr immediately number my eye and explained he cut through my mesh because it got clogged … Continue reading →

August 1, 2016 QUESTION: I was wondering is there anyway to cure stye, because I have one under my right eye. Do I really need surgery to take care of it or is there some kind of eye drop or … Continue reading →

October 12, 2016 QUESTION: I am from Sri Lanka. I met an accident recently and my left eyesight went blind. Here in Sri Lanka, doctors informed me that my optic nerve got damaged and unable to do anything else. I … Continue reading →

June 11, 2017 QUESTION: How do you correct glaring vision when you have glaucoma? via Email ANSWER: The most common form of glaucoma, open angle glaucoma, is not associated with glare. On the other hand, angle closure can result in … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Do you take Medicare? P**** via Submit Form ANSWER: Dear P****, I have opted out of Medicare so am unable to submit claims for payment. However, as you have qualified for a no-cost consultation your initial visit with me would … Continue reading →

March 8, 2018 QUESTION: My daughter was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma when she was 19 years old. She is 35 and has received poor care over the years and until recently no care at all due to lack of health … Continue reading →

QUESTION: Hi Dr. I hated to bother you, but I have tried everything and just can not find an answer. My own eye Dr did not know. I have GLAUCOMA and I am on many eye drops for treatment. I … Continue reading →

August 3, 2016 QUESTION: I am diabetic and I believe I have glaucoma or floater, is there a form of surgery of laser treatment that would correct my condition? I have loss vision in my right eye. via Email ANSWER: … Continue reading →

August 4, 2016 QUESTION: I have been hearing about the fact that RUTIN is good for glaucoma. Is it worth my taking it or is there a potential danger? via Email ANSWER: I do recommend a combination of Rutin and … Continue reading →

August 5, 2016 QUESTION: Hi. I wanted to ask as I found an article about goji wolf berries in helping with glaucoma (article on your website). I’m trying to find a holistic approach that take everything into consideration– nutrition etc. … Continue reading →

January 18, 2017 QUESTION: Dr. Richardson, Could you give me your opinion/evaluation of Alternating Current Stimulation being used to treat Glaucoma and other optic nerve disorders. This is being conducted at the SAVIR Center (Sabel Vision Restoration Center) in Magdeburg, … Continue reading →

November 7, 2016 QUESTION: Hello, my name is M*** and my grandmother is suffering for glaucoma. One of her eyes has lost total vision and the other one is soon going to be lost too. Is their anyway she could … Continue reading →

March 15, 2017 QUESTION: Hi Dr. Richardson, in your opinion which is better- tube shunt or trabeculectomy? I am left with a decision and neither one looks better to me but from what I been told my only choice left … Continue reading →

January 18, 2017 QUESTION: Hi, just wondering what your thoughts are on trabectome surgery. I have glaucoma for the last 25 years and was on medical eye drop therapy all that time. Drops are not keeping pressures down where they … Continue reading →

June 11, 2017 QUESTION: I’ve been taking Kronek capsules as a supplement for over a year now. Initially I was on 1 capsule/day but for the last 1/2 year or so I increased it to 2/day. My ophthalmologist didn’t know … Continue reading →

March 19, 2018 QUESTION: Hi Dr. Richardson, Thank you very much for the valuable information about CAM on your site. I have just been diagnosed with early glaucoma and am planning to use the CAM therapies. You listed many herbal … Continue reading →