Overview | Video FAQs | Options | Procedure | Assessment
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated. Glaucoma is caused when pressure builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. If glaucoma is left untreated, it can cause irreversible blindness.
Glaucoma is generally asymptomatic and usually detected on routine screening. Risk factors for developing glaucoma include age> 40, a family history of glaucoma, previous trauma, thin corneas, high eye pressure and near-sightedness (myopia) or far-sightedness (hypermetropia).
The two main types of glaucoma are:
- Open-angle glaucoma (where gradual clogging of the drainage tubes slowly increases eye pressure)
- Angle-closure glaucoma (where a sudden drainage tube clogging causes a rapid rise in eye pressure)
Glaucoma treatment aims to reduce the pressure inside the eye. Oculase offers various glaucoma treatments at our sites in London and Birmingham.
Glaucoma treatment in London
The objective of glaucoma treatment is to reduce the pressure inside the eye. Treatment does not reverse any damage caused by the high pressure in the eye but it will slow the progression of glaucoma and subsequent vision loss.
There are different types of glaucoma and treatment will depend on the type of glaucoma you have. Oculase offers the following glaucoma treatments in London and Birmingham:
- Eye drops
- Laser
- Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
- Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)
- Lens Replacement Surgery
- Glaucoma surgery
How glaucoma treatments work
Eye drops are the most common glaucoma treatment. These work by reducing the pressure in your eyes.
If eye drops do not help to relieve your glaucoma symptoms, you may be suitable for laser treatment. A laser beam is aimed at part of your eye. It stops fluid building up in your eye.
There are two main types of laser treatment for glaucoma:
- Selective laser trabeculoplasty (opens up fluid drainage tubes)
- Laser peripheral iridotomy (creates tiny holes in the iris to allow fluid drainage)
Both options aim to reduce pressure and stop fluid buildup.
If laser treatment does not work for you, you may need glaucoma surgery. A procedure called trabeculectomy is the most common type. Your eye surgeon will open up your eye-draining tubes to improve fluid drainage and relieve pressure.
Assessment for glaucoma
As part of your assessment for glaucoma, you will have a full examination of your eye including an eye pressure check, an assessment of your cornea, angle of the eye and nerve assessment. You will also require scans of the eye including a visual field assessment and scans of your nerves.
After your assessment for glaucoma, you will be explained if you have glaucoma and the treatment options available to you for your type of glaucoma.
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