Glaucoma Treatment

Advancing Vision Care with Cutting-Edge Solutions

Glaucoma Treatment

Protecting You From the “Silent Thief of Sight”

Glaucoma Treatment

Protecting You From the “Silent Thief of Sight”

How to diagnose glaucoma?

Measuring the pressure in the eye is only one of many tests required to confirm the diagnosis. Other tests include examining the drainage angle, measuring the corneal thickness, testing the visual field and scanning the optic nerve are also important.

Some of these tests need to be repeated periodically to monitor the progression of the disease.

Laser treatment for glaucoma

Screening for Glaucoma

Early detection of glaucoma is important to prevent permanent visual loss and blindness. Regular visits to the eye doctor for screening should be done as follows:-

Age 20-29 years

at least once during this period
people with family history of glaucoma, diabetes, previous serious eye injury or nearsightedness should be screened every 3-5 years

Age 30-39 years

at least twice during this period
those with risk factors (as above) should be seen every 2-4 years

Age 40-64 years

every 2 years

Age 65 years or older

every year

Formation of a ‘bleb’ after trabeculectomy and Optonol Shunt – a metal tube implant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions: Clearing Up Common Queries

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and is characterized by raised pressure inside the eye which causes damage to the optic nerve leading to permanent loss of vision.

Normal optic nerve head(left) and damaged optic nerve head from glaucoma (right)

Tunnel vision with end stage glaucoma (right)

What causes glaucoma?

Occurs most frequently in people over 60 years but can happen at any age.
Association with race – Asians are more prone to closed angle glaucoma whereas Afro-Caribbeans tend to get open angle glaucoma
Diabetics are more prone to developing glaucoma
People who are nearsighted are more prone to open angle glaucoma whereas those who are farsighted tend to get closed angle glaucoma
Serious eye injury can sometimes lead to glaucoma
Steroid medication can also cause glaucoma when it is used for a long time
Glaucoma can sometimes be inherited in certain families

What are the types of glaucoma?

Open angle glaucoma is the more common and occurs when there is gradual build up of pressure within the eye even when the drainage angle is not blocked. Visual loss occurs gradually and often goes unnoticed by the patient until it is quite advanced.

Closed angle glaucoma occurs when there is physical blockage of the drainage angle and there can sometimes be a sudden build up of pressure associated with pain, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Measuring intraocular pressure

Visual field assessment

How to treat glaucoma?

When glaucoma is advanced, surgery may be required to lower the eye pressure and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is the latest technology available whereby microstents (or tubes) are inserted into the eye to improve drainage of fluid and lower pressure.