Protect the vision you
still have — without the drops.
Glaucoma doesn't announce itself — it takes peripheral vision slowly, silently, and permanently. Dr. Malitz offers the full range of modern glaucoma treatments, from in-office laser to micro-implants that can reduce or eliminate daily eye drops entirely. The goal: stop progression and keep you seeing clearly, with the least burden on your daily life.
The "silent thief" — and why early treatment matters
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, usually because of elevated eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP). The damage is irreversible — but progression can be stopped with treatment.
It's more common than people think
Glaucoma affects over 3 million Americans, but half don't know they have it — and of those, half were seen by an eye doctor in the past five years and the diagnosis was missed. There are no early symptoms. By the time you notice vision loss, significant damage has already occurred.
Are you at risk?
You're at higher risk if you have a family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, diabetes, thin corneas, myopia (nearsightedness), or are of African-American descent. Risk also increases after age 60. If any of these apply, regular screening is essential — even if your vision seems fine.
The goal: lower eye pressure
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve — the structure that carries visual information to the brain. Every treatment works by reducing intraocular pressure to slow or stop further nerve damage. The target pressure is different for every patient.
Advanced diagnostic technology
Dr. Malitz uses visual field testing, optic nerve scanning (OCT), and corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry) to detect glaucoma earlier and track progression more precisely than a standard eye exam. These tools let us catch changes before you notice symptoms — and adjust treatment before damage occurs.
How Dr. Malitz approaches glaucoma treatment
Treatment is stepwise and personalized. We start with the least invasive option and escalate only when necessary.
Not every patient needs surgery
Many glaucoma patients are well-controlled with drops or laser alone. Dr. Malitz will evaluate your optic nerve health, visual field, and pressure trends before recommending any procedure. If you don't need surgery, he'll tell you — and manage you medically or comanage with your optometrist.
Every modern glaucoma treatment, under one roof
Dr. Malitz is trained in the full spectrum of glaucoma procedures — from laser to micro-implants to advanced filtering surgery. Here's what we offer.
SLT — Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
A gentle laser applied to the eye's drainage tissue to improve natural fluid outflow. SLT is performed in the office, takes about 5 minutes per eye, and requires no incision. It can reduce or eliminate the need for daily drops, and it's repeatable if the effect wears off over time.
Durysta — Sustained-Release Bimatoprost Implant
A tiny biodegradable implant placed inside the eye during a quick office procedure. Durysta continuously releases bimatoprost — a proven pressure-lowering medication — directly inside the eye for months, eliminating the need for daily drops. Ideal for patients who struggle with drop compliance, experience side effects from topical medications, or simply want the convenience of not having to remember drops every day.
iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass
The world's smallest medical implant — a tiny titanium stent placed in the eye's drainage channel (Schlemm's canal) to create a permanent bypass through the trabecular meshwork. Typically implanted during cataract surgery through the same incision, adding only a few minutes to the procedure. Designed for mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma.
Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy
A specialized blade precisely excises a strip of the trabecular meshwork — the eye's natural drain — opening a wider pathway for fluid to exit. Unlike stents, no device is left in the eye. Can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery. Effective for mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma.
Xen Gel Stent
A soft, flexible collagen-derived stent that creates a new drainage pathway from inside the eye to the subconjunctival space — similar in concept to a traditional trabeculectomy, but through a tiny ab interno approach. Offers more significant pressure reduction than trabecular MIGS. Used for moderate-to-advanced glaucoma when angle-based procedures aren't sufficient.
Glaukos Micro-Drainage
Micro-scale drainage devices that restore the eye's natural outflow by bypassing the trabecular meshwork and improving access to collector channels. Multiple stents can be placed to reach different collector channels for greater pressure reduction. Designed to be combined with cataract surgery.
Dr. Malitz will recommend the procedure that matches your disease severity, anatomy, and whether you also need cataract surgery. Many patients benefit from combining MIGS with cataract surgery — one trip to the operating room, one recovery, two problems addressed.
Narrow-angle glaucoma? There's a laser that can cure it.
Not all glaucoma is the same. If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a quick in-office laser procedure called Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) creates a tiny opening in the iris to restore proper fluid drainage. LPI is preventive — it can stop an acute angle-closure attack before it happens. The procedure takes minutes, requires no incision, and is covered by insurance.
Glaucoma + cataracts? One surgery handles both.
If you have both glaucoma and cataracts — which is common, since both increase with age — Dr. Malitz can address both in a single procedure.
How it works
During your cataract surgery, Dr. Malitz implants a MIGS device (like an iStent or Kahook goniotomy) through the same tiny incision. The glaucoma portion adds only a few minutes to the procedure. You recover from both at the same time.
Often no extra cost
Because MIGS is performed during cataract surgery, the facility and anesthesia costs are already covered. The MIGS device and additional surgeon time are billed separately to your insurance. Most patients pay little to nothing out of pocket for the glaucoma portion.
Already had cataract surgery?
Many MIGS procedures — including Kahook Dual Blade and Xen Gel Stent — can be performed as standalone procedures in patients who have already had cataract surgery. SLT laser is also always available as a standalone treatment. Learn more about cataract surgery →
The desert adds risk factors your eyes don't need
Las Vegas patients face environmental conditions that can complicate glaucoma management.
UV exposure and eye pressure
Year-round intense sunlight can affect eye comfort and compliance with drop schedules. Transitioning to laser or surgical treatment can reduce dependence on drops you might be forgetting in the heat.
Dry climate complicates drops
Low humidity means your eyes are already dry. Adding glaucoma drops — many of which contain preservatives that worsen dryness — compounds the problem. MIGS and SLT can reduce or eliminate the drop burden.
Full surgical capability on-site
Dr. Malitz performs glaucoma procedures at Red Rock Surgery Center, where he serves as Medical Director. No hospital visits — outpatient, efficient, and close to home.
Glaucoma treatment is covered by insurance
Unlike elective procedures like LASIK, glaucoma is a medical condition. All treatments — from drops to laser to surgery — are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.
What insurance covers
Medicare and most commercial plans cover the full cost of glaucoma evaluation, SLT laser treatment, and surgical procedures including MIGS devices. Your out-of-pocket cost is typically limited to copays and deductibles — not the procedure itself.
What to bring to your visit
Your insurance card, a list of current eye drops and medications, and any records or visual field tests from your referring doctor. We'll verify your benefits and give you a clear estimate of any out-of-pocket costs before scheduling any procedure.
Frequently asked questions about glaucoma surgery
Don't wait for symptoms that never come.
Glaucoma steals vision silently. If you've been diagnosed, have a family history, or haven't had your pressure checked in a while — schedule an evaluation. Early treatment is the difference between keeping your vision and losing it.
Or call us directly: 702-362-3900 · W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas