Ophthalmology consultant: Glaucoma treatment methods have improved dramatically

Glaucoma is the most common preventable cause of blindness

Glaucoma, or glaucoma, is the most common cause of preventable blindness in the world, according to Dr. It usually occurs when fluid builds up in the front of the eye.

In a healthy eye, the amount of fluid produced remains in balance with the amount of fluid that drains away.

When there is a defect in this system, the pressure inside the eye rises, and this may lead to the development of glaucoma.

Dr. Salman Waqar added that there are two types of glaucoma: open-angle primary and closed-angle.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type, and it is painless and does not initially cause changes in vision.

However, it gradually changes when the eye does not drain fluids as well as it should, and the eye pressure increases and begins to damage the optic nerve.

Closed angle glaucoma occurs when the iris is too close to the drainage angle and prevents it from functioning properly.

And when the drainage angle is completely blocked, the eye pressure rises rapidly, which leads to severe pain and redness in the eye, and a decrease in or blurring of vision, which may lead to blindness if treatment is not done immediately.

Waqar emphasized that “while glaucoma can threaten eyesight, fortunately, blindness resulting from glaucoma can be prevented with early treatment, as treatment methods have improved dramatically over the past five years.

Today there are a variety of options available, ranging from eye drops to laser treatments and surgical options. ”

"Mild glaucoma can be treated with simple eye drops, which are used once or twice daily, while moderate glaucoma requires laser treatment, and advanced cases can be alleviated through minimally invasive surgeries, such as trabeculectomy and insertion of a water transfer device," he said.

If the patient cannot tolerate eye drops, special laser surgery for glaucoma can be performed without the need for long-lasting drops.

While these are the standard methods of treating glaucoma, we find that the appropriate customized treatment for each case itself leads to the best results.

On the positive and negative aspects of each treatment method, the ophthalmologist and specialist consultant said: “In general, the treatment of glaucoma is safe, and provides the opportunity to preserve vision and quality of life in the long term.

Eye drops are generally simple and comfortable solutions.

However, it can cause side effects, such as eye redness, irritation and discomfort.

Laser treatments are relatively safe, but they may cause eye pressure to rise.

And the surgical options carry a small risk of complications leading to deteriorating vision.

It is imperative that the patient undergo a comprehensive clinical examination to determine the most appropriate treatment option for the eye.

In general, the benefit to the patient when adopting the recommended treatment will outweigh the risks involved in this treatment.

Regarding recovery time, he added, “Recovery from laser therapy is usually very fast, allowing patients to return to routine activity the next day.

For surgery, you can return to routine activity within two weeks, though full recovery may vary from four to six weeks.

To speed up the eye healing process and improve the chances of a successful result, eye drops may be needed for a few weeks after the operation.

Glaucoma treatment is designed to halt the progression of the condition, and to reduce intraocular pressure to acceptable standards, thus preventing any additional visual damage.

This means that any damage that may have already occurred before diagnosis and treatment will remain unchanged.

"In the case of cataracts, an operation can also be performed to treat cataracts and glaucoma together, providing an opportunity to improve vision affected by cataracts."

One in 1000

On the complications of each method of treating "glaucoma", Dr. Salman Waqar said, "Over the years of development and improvement, eye operations have become safe to a large extent."

However, it is understood that no procedure is completely without risk, and in general there is a 1 in 1000 chance that complications will lead to negative outcomes. ”

- "In general, treatment for glaucoma is safe and provides the opportunity to preserve vision in the long term."

Salman Waqar:

"There are a variety of treatments available, ranging from eye drops to laser treatments and surgical options."

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