Glaucoma Services
The aqueous humour is the clear fluid circulating within and nourishing some parts of the eye which have no blood supply. ‘Normal’ individuals have an equal production and drainage of this fluid resulting in a constant pressure within the eye. If the drainage is compromised due to any reason, there is a pressure build-up in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve. This is glaucoma.
Glaucoma is often a silent disorder which does not give rise to any symptoms during the early stages. Very rarely symptoms such as pain and redness can occur. The disease is called the `Silent Thief of Sight´ because it is painless, symptomless and irreversible. This reduction of vision starts from the sides and progresses to the centre over months and years (i.e. side/peripheral vision is lost first). Therefore, the person with glaucoma is usually unaware of it until much loss of vision has occurred.
What should be remembered is that the loss of vision due to glaucoma cannot be regained. So it is important that glaucoma is diagnosed during the early stages even before it causes any loss of vision.
Regular eye examinations by the ophthalmologist lead to early detection. The painless examinations include:
Tonometry – Measurement of the intraocular pressure [tension]
Gonioscopy – Inspection of the drainage angle of the eye
Ophthalmoscopy – Evaluation of optic nerve damage
Perimetry – Testing the visual field of each eye
Pachymetry – Assessment of central corneal thickness
Persons prone to glaucoma are
People with glaucoma patients in the family
People with minus or plus power in the eye
History of eye trauma
Those using long term steroids
Diabetics
Since glaucoma is more common after 40 years, a yearly eye test is needed for everyone above 40yrs
MEDICAL TREATMENT:
EYE DROPS
Controls the eye pressure either by slowing the formation of aqueous fluid within the eye or by increasing the flow at the drainage area.
Tablets are sometimes combined with the eye drops to decrease higher levels of eye pressure.
They are occasionally known to cause tingling of fingers and toes, bowel irregularities, and in the very long term, kidney stones.
LASERS
Lasers of different types are usually used in one of the three ways:
In open-angle glaucoma the draining area itself is enlarged to control eye pressure. In angle-closure glaucoma the laser creates a hole in the iris to open up and improve the flow of aqueous fluid to the drainage systems.
In painful late-stage glaucoma, medication or surgery do not control the pressure. The laser closes some aqueous fluid-producing areas in the eye and lowers the eye pressure.
We provide YAG laser and selective laser Trabeculoplasty treatment
OPERATIVE SURGERY
A new drainage channel is created for the aqueous fluid to leave the eye.
We also offer MIGS surgeries and glaucoma drainage implantation.
The most experienced surgical hands at AMARDEEP EYE CARE have been delivering the best results.