GLAUCOMA TRABECLECTOMY

What Is Glaucoma Trabeclectomy?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. If not treated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.
In its more common forms, glaucoma is associated with increased pressure inside the eye, which places stress on the optic nerve and gradually causes a loss of peripheral vision.
High eye pressure alone does not mean that you have glaucoma, but it is an important risk factor your ophthalmologist will use to determine your risk for developing the disease.

The most important risk factors include :

  • Age
  • Elevated eye pressure
  • Thin cornea
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Nearsightedness
  • Past injuries to the eyes
  • Steroid use
  • A history of severe anemia or shock

Types of Glaucoma:

  1. Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type, also known as wide-angle glaucoma. While the eye’s structures appear normal, fluid does not drain properly through the trabecular meshwork, leading to increased pressure.
  2. Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Also referred to as acute, chronic angle-closure, or narrow-angle glaucoma, this type occurs when the angle between the iris and cornea is too narrow. The iris physically blocks the drainage pathway, causing a sudden rise in eye pressure.

Symtoms Of Glucoma:

Glaucoma most often occurs in adults over age 40, but it can also occur in young adults, children, and even infants.
For most people, there are usually few or no symptoms of glaucoma. The first sign of glaucoma is often the loss of peripheral or side vision, which can go unnoticed until late in the disease. This is why glaucoma is often called the “sneak thief of vision.
Detecting glaucoma early is one reason you should have a complete exam with an eye specialist every one to two years. Occasionally, intraocular pressure can rise to severe levels. In these cases, sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, or the appearance of halos around lights may occur.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care :

  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Vision loss
  • Redness in the eye
  • Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain in the eye
  • Narrowing of vision (tunnel vision)

Detecting glaucoma early is one reason you should have a complete exam with an eye specialist every one to two years. Occasionally, intraocular pressure can rise to severe levels. In these cases, sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, or the appearance of halos around lights may occur.

Treatment Of Glaucoma:

A . Medications
Glaucoma is commonly managed with eye drops used several times daily, sometimes combined with oral medications. These treatments help lower eye pressure by either reducing fluid production or improving fluid drainage. Inform all your doctors about your glaucoma medications, as they may have side effects such as stinging, redness, blurred vision, headaches, or changes in pulse, heartbeat, or breathing. Pills may cause tingling in the fingers or toes, drowsiness, appetite loss, bowel changes, kidney stones, anemia, or bleeding issues. Report any side effects to your doctor immediately.

B. Laser Surgery

  • Laser procedures can be highly effective in managing glaucoma.
  • Trabeculoplasty enhances fluid drainage to reduce pressure in open-angle glaucoma.
  • Iridotomy creates small openings in the iris to improve fluid flow and drainage for narrow-angle glaucoma.

C. Operative Surgery

In cases where surgery is necessary, a doctor uses a microscope and specialized tools to create a new drainage channel, allowing fluid to exit the eye and reducing pressure. Surgery is recommended only when the benefits of lowering eye pressure outweigh the risks of complications or further optic nerve damage.
Schedule a Callback to discuss your treatment options and take the next step in managing glaucoma effectively.

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