Berke, an ophthalmologist, specializes in glaucoma treatment and cataract surgery. He is a founding partner of OCLI, which has offices in Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Valley Stream, East Meadow, Stony Brook and Manhasset. His two-year study results showed that combining the two procedures can dramatically decrease the postoperative need for glaucoma medication.
Cataracts are a vision problem caused by a clouding of the lens of the eye. It is most common in people over 50 years of age. This clouding can distort or even block light rays before they reach the retina. Left untreated, cataracts can impair vision and lead to blindness. Glaucoma is a condition affecting the optic nerve, usually seen with increased pressure within the eye. This too can lead to blindness, especially in the elderly.
ECP, a laser procedure used to treat glaucoma, has fast become popular in the U.S. Cataract surgery is the most often performed surgery in the nation, and Berke has found that combining the two procedures can save patients hundreds of dollars a month in glaucoma medication by reducing the number of medications needed after surgery.
The study, "ECP in the Management of Cataract and Medically controlled Glaucoma," which Berke co-wrote with four colleagues, was presented at the American Glaucoma Society's annual meeting in Charleston, S.C., last month. The study, which followed more than 700 patients for an average of 2 1/2 years, was the largest ever done on this type of surgery.
A technique known as phacoemulsification has become the preferred method of cataract removal. A very small incision is made at the top of the eye, and high-frequency waves sent through the surgical instrument break the cataract up into minute fragments, which are then removed. "This ultrasound vibrates about 40,000 times per second," Berke explained. A plastic foldable lens is inserted into the opening, and once inside, it unfolds, held on by "springs." This lens takes the place of the one that has been removed, and allows the patient to focus. Stitches are not needed because of the very small incision, and it heals quickly.
ECP is a computer-assisted laser procedure used to surgically treat glaucoma. The laser "zaps" and shrinks the amount of fluid, according to Berke. His study showed that cataract surgery combined with ECP was effective in decreasing the long-term need for glaucoma medications and did not increase the risk of serious complications.
Berke began performing the two surgeries together in 1999. Noting that 15 percent of cataract patients also suffer from glaucoma, he surmised that ECP could easily be used during their cataract surgery, because it uses the same incision. Statistically, there was a 60 percent decrease in the average number of medications used after the procedure.
Berke does his surgery at the Island Eye Surgicenter in Carle Place. The center, which opened in 2000, specializes in the surgical care and treatment of eye disorders.
"The follow-up data shows convincing evidence that ECP, combined with cataract surgery, is a very safe procedure, associated with very few serious complications," Berke said.
For more information, contact the OCLI at (866) SEE-OCLI.
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