Glaucoma is a disease resulting in abnormal thinning of the optic nerve which may cause peripheral and/or central vision loss.
What is glaucoma?
It is a common condition which may affect people of all ages. Risk factors for glaucoma include raised eye pressure, older age, positive family history, and previous eye injury. Glaucoma is often without symptoms until the disease becomes more advanced. It is important to be assessed by your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you have any risk factors for the condition.
How is glaucoma managed?
Glaucoma management is aimed at identifying and halting the disease. This is usually achieved by using treatments to lower the eye pressure. Initial treatment options including drops or an in-office laser procedure to lower the eye pressure. Rarely, if glaucoma worsens despite initial treatments, surgery may be required to lower the eye pressure.
Further information on the condition can be accessed via
Glaucoma Australia’s website
Glaucoma laser treatment
Selective laser trabeculoplasty
This is a procedure performed within the office with the goal of lowering eye pressure.
It involves placing anaesthetic drops on the eye following by a lens which is used to visualise the structures which drain fluid from the eye. The laser treatment is then applied to these structures to improve fluid outflow. Selective laser trabeculoplasty may be offered as a treatment option to eliminate or reduce the need for glaucoma drops.
Laser peripheral iridotomy
This is a procedure performed within the office with the goal of providing an alternative pathway for fluid to move through the eye.
The laser is applied to the iris, the coloured part of the eye, to create a microscopic drainage hole. It is typically used in patients who have narrow drainage angles and may be at risk of raised eye pressure that can occur in acute, or sudden, glaucoma.
Glaucoma surgery
Trabeculectomy
This is a surgical procedure performed with the goal of lowering eye pressure.
It is performed as a day surgery, generally under local anaesthetic in combination with sedative medication. A partial thickness flap is created in the sclera (white of the eye) and a drainage hole is then made under this flap. Stitches are used to partially close the flap and to reposition the overlying conjunctiva (tissue lining the eye).
Glaucoma drainage device
Often known as ‘tube’ surgery, this is a surgical procedure involving the insertion of a small tube into the eye.
Fluid flows through the tube and out of the eye to a component of the device which is positioned behind the muscles of the eye.
Microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
This term covers a range of newer surgical options to lower eye pressure.
Some MIGS devices may be implanted at the time of cataract surgery whilst others may be performed as a separate procedure. The most frequently used MIGS are microscopic stents that may be placed within the area of the eye responsible for fluid drainage.
Want to know if glaucoma surgery is suitable for you? Make an appointment with Dr Northey today.
Dr Luke Northey
For apointments and enquiries, please phone your preferred location below.
Fax: 02 9344 5334
© 2024 Dr Luke Northey | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Website by: 