Glaucoma Treatments
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma causes progressive damage of the optic nerve (nerve that connects the eye to the brain) which initially creates loss of peripheral vision that you don’t notice. If not treated it can lead to eventual blindness. It is most commonly caused by an increase in the pressure inside the eye and is more common with increasing age. There are many treatment options for mild to moderate glaucoma which can be tailored to your unique situation including: eye drops, laser or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (microstent).
Laser for Glaucoma
Why is the procedure done?
Laser is performed to improve the way fluid is drained from the eye to lower the eye pressure or to reduce the risk of a sudden severe eye pressure rise in patients who are at risk.
What does the procedure involve?
It is done within the consulting rooms and takes only a few minutes to perform. You will receive pre- treatment eye drops. Having the laser performed is not very different or more uncomfortable than having a regular eye examination. In selective laser trabeculoplasy (SLT) the laser is shone onto to the drainage structure inside the eye to increase the efficiency of the drain to remove fluid. In a YAG laser peripheral iridotomy a tiny hole is made in the peripheral iris to provide a secondary route for fluid to move through the eye.
What is the recovery?
There is minimal recovery time for either procedure with majority of patients recovering in less than a day.
What are the risks?
Your eye pressure may temporarily increase immediately after then laser treatment and this will be checked before you leave the clinic and treated if required. There may be temporary blurring of your vision or some ache/discomfort of your eyes.
MIGS – Microincision Glaucoma Surgery
Why is glaucoma surgery performed?
The aim of glaucoma surgery is to reduce the pressure inside your eye to prevent ongoing damage to the optic nerve from glaucoma.
What does the MIGS involve?
The procedure may be done either at the time of surgery or as a standalone procedure in an accredited day surgery under a microscope. Tiny microstent (iStent) are placed across the drainage area within the eye to improve the outflow of fluid from the eye. The procedure adds approximately 5 minutes to the length of your surgery when combined with cataract surgery or takes 10-15min if done as a standalone procedure.
What is the recovery?
Vision is blurred for the first couple of days after your procedure. You will use eye drops in your eyes for 1 month after the surgery. You can expect to return to driving within a week of the procedure. You are advised to avoid heavy lifting or swimming for a couple of weeks after surgery. The full effect of the procedure on your eye pressure is seen around 6 weeks after surgery.
What are the risks?
Minor issues include:
Eye pressure not lowering as much as hoped from the procedure.
A temporary increase in the eye pressure immediately after surgery which settles with eye drops
Bleeding inside the eye which causes temporary blurring of the vision and generally clears within a week
Prolonged inflammation causing fluid build up at the back of the eye leading to blurred vision (cystoid macular oedema). This is treated with additional drops to the eye and doesn’t affect the long term results of the surgery.
Rare but serious risks include:
Severe infection (endophthalmitis) which can permanently damage vision (the risk of this is approximately 1:5000 patients)
Want to find out the best treatment for you?
Book a consultation with Dr Phillipa Sharwood to discuss the best glaucoma treatment options to care for your vision