Glaucoma Surgeries

This is an eye malfunction that damages optic nerve and potentially impairs a patient's eye sight. The condition tends to get worse over time. The increased fluid pressure, called intraocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve that transmits images to your brain. The loss of vision is usually gradual and may not be noticed immediately because it first affects peripheral or side vision. Contrary to popular belief, Glaucoma is not always caused by elevated intraocular pressure. Other common causes may include a blunt or chemical injury to your eye, steroid eye drops used in eye infections, blocked blood vessels inside the eye and inflammatory conditions. It usually affects both eyes though not necessarily with same severity

Open-angle Glaucoma : A rather common type condition also referred to as wide-angle glaucoma. The drainage structure in your eye is called the trabecular meshwork and while it may look normal, but actually fluid doesn't flow out like it should.

Angle-closure Glaucoma : A relatively less common type also called Narrow-angle glaucoma. Here the eye doesn't drain right because the angle between your iris and cornea is too narrow. The iris is in the way which can lead to a buildup of pressure in a patient's eye. It is also linked to eye abnormalities including farsightedness and cataracts.

The cause of Glaucoma generally is a failure of the eye to maintain an appropriate balance between the amount of internal (intraocular) fluid produced and the amount that drains away. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world.

Ophthalmologists are split over the precise causes of glaucoma, but most cases are divided into two categories:

  • Primary Glaucoma – here the cause is unknown
  • Secondary Glaucoma – This condition has an apparently know reason , that may include such as a potential tumor, diabetes, an advanced cataract, or inflammation
  • Old age
  • Diabetes, tumor or hypothyroidism or high Blood pressure
  • Internal eye injuries or trauma
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Eye surgery
  • Long-term use of corticosteroids – especially eye drops
  • Myopia (nearsightedness)

Key tests employed to diagnose glaucoma.

  • Measuring intraocular pressure – tonometry is a simple and painless procedure that measures internal eye pressure
  • Optic nerve damage test – This instrument monitors your back of the eye and checks for any potential damage
  • Visual field test – to check the peripheral vision likely to have been affected by glaucoma
  • Measuring corneal thickness – also called as pachymetry, determines the thickness of the cornea, that helps in diagnosing glaucoma

Two lead types of Glaucoma have different symptoms

  • OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA
    • peripheral vision, usually in both eyes, is lost gradually
    • Advanced stages are characterized by tunnel vision
  • NARROW-ANGLE (ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA)
    • eye pain, which may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting
    • sudden development of visual disturbance
    • blurred vision
    • halos are seen around lights
    • reddening of the eye

Treatment at EKJYOT

MEDICATION : Glaucoma is usually treated with eye drops, although lasers and surgery can also be used. Most cases can be controlled well with these treatments, thereby preventing further loss of vision. Medicated eye drops must be used exactly as prescribed otherwise their use could worsen optic nerve damage.

SURGERY : Well if the medications fails or the condition warrants a surgery, then the following options are at hand

  • Laser Surgery – also laser Trabeculoplasty is used to clear blockages in eye's drainage channels
  • Filtering Surgery – a procedure called a trabeculectomy is used to create an opening in the drainage system that bypasses blocked drainage channels
  • Drainage Implants – here a small tube is inserted into the eye to increase fluid drainage.

IMPORTANT TIPS

Early diagnosis and right treatment are key to preserving sight in people with glaucoma. It usually causes no symptoms early in its course, at which time it can only be diagnosed by regular eye examinations in particular post 40 years of age.


Regular eye checks are important to detect glaucoma early enough to successfully treat it and prevent further progression.