Procedures
Glaucoma Surgery
Preserving vision for better outcomes
Your eye constantly makes aqueous humor. As new aqueous flows into your eye, the same amount should drain out. The fluid drains out through an area called the drainage angle. This process keeps pressure in the eye (called intraocular pressure or (IOP) stable. But if the drainage angle is not working properly, fluid builds up. Pressure inside the eye rises, damaging the optic nerve.
Glaucoma can manifest at any age; however, it is more prevalent among older individuals.
Numerous types of glaucoma present without noticeable symptoms, and the progression of the condition is often gradual. Therefore, early detection of glaucoma is crucial, as it can significantly slow down or even prevent vision loss.
Glaucoma Treatments — including eyedrops, laser treatments and surgeries
Glaucoma surgeries lower the pressure inside of your eye which helps to prevent vision loss and saves remaining vision to improve quality of life.
Glaucoma includes several types:
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Most common type (90% of cases) , where Drainage canals are open but resistant, leading to fluid buildup and increased eye pressure. Open-Angle Glaucoma is Usually asymptomatic until late stages, resulting in gradual vision loss.
Closed-Angle Glaucoma
Rare and acute, the Narrow angle blocks drainage canals, causing sudden pressure rise. It’s manifested as severe eye pain, headaches, blurred vision; requires immediate treatment.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Optic nerve damage occurs despite normal eye pressure; thus causes are not fully understood and may involve reduced blood flow.
Congenital Glaucoma
Present at birth due to improperly formed drainage canals causing corneal swelling and light sensitivity.
Laser Treatment
Helps open clogged tubes and drain fluid. You’ll be able to go home after the procedure and get back to your normal routine by the next day. Some types of laser surgeries are:
- Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT): ALT works in about 75% of people with the most common kind of glaucoma.
- Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT):If ALT doesn’t work so well, your doctor may try this.
- Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI): it works for narrow-angle glaucoma patients.
- Cyclophotocoagulation: This surgery helps decrease the production of eye fluid to lower the pressure.
Incisional surgeries:
These surgeries use instruments to make tiny holes through which the extra fluid can drain. They are long-term and effective but more invasive than laser treatment.
Types of incisional surgeries::
1-Trabeculectomy: most common for open angle glaucoma
2-Drainage implants surgery
3-Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: it is a newer technology that features tiny instruments and devices where recovery is typically faster.
Based on your condition ,stage of glaucoma and your goals our experienced surgeons will be able to provide a tailored treatment plan.
- Consultation: A thorough consultation with our skilful glaucoma surgeon will be conducted. We will discuss your goals, medical history, and perform a detailed eye examination like optic nerve imaging and field of vision to determine which route of treatment is best for you and what to expect after surgery..
- Preparation: Before the surgery, don’t use your glaucoma drops on the day of the surgery only on the eye to be operated on. According to the type of surgery agreed with your surgeon you will be provided with detailed instructions plus a pre and post operative care plan.
- Anesthesia: Drops are used to numb the eye for the procedure. Local anesthesia for laser surgery and general sedation may be used for incisional surgery.
- The Procedure: Our surgeons use advanced techniques to achieve the desired results. Trabeculectomy aims to create a small drainage in the eye to lower the ocular pressure for open angle glaucoma patients. Other surgeries like laser cyclophotocoagulations uses laser to decrease fluid production and improve drainage in the eye.
- Recovery: Your eyesight may be a little blurry right after the treatment. It may feel a little sore, tearing and red too. The doctor will check your eye pressure and you’ll be able to go home same day. Full recovery will depend on the type of surgery it may take 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover.
- Rest and Recuperation: The doctor may ask you to stay at home and rest for couple of days , avoid water activities and exercise while healing. Depending on the type of surgery some activities restrictions can apply for several weeks post-surgery.
- Post-Operative Care: Our team will provide detailed instructions on wound care, eye drops, and follow-up appointments.
- Results Expectations: The surgery can lower eye pressure and help stabilize vision for a long time, your doctors will need to monitor your glaucoma during that time.
Glaucoma FAQs
Most laser procedures take only minutes. MIGS procedures vary in length, depending on the procedure. Procedures usually take less than one hour. People having the incisional procedure may need about 4-8 hours from the time of arrival until discharge.
Surgeons use numbing medications and anesthesia to make sure you won’t feel pain during the surgery. You may have some soreness and irritation after the procedure.
Recovery from glaucoma surgery varies, depending on the surgery. Most people notice recovery in vision in days to weeks after the surgery. For some in-office procedures, you’ll only need a day to rest and then you can get back to your normal activities. For other surgeries, you may need to limit some activities, like heavy lifting, for up to a month. Your post-operative plan provided by our team will include specific timelines regarding your recovery, instructions and follow up appointments.
About half of people who get this surgery no longer need medications to keep pressure down. Your doctor will be able to make the decision regarding your medication depending on your individual case. Even if you still need medication , surgery may lessen the number of medications.
For some people, the benefits of surgery last a long time. For others, the opening in the eye begins to close-up and they need surgery again. You’ll need regular check-ups with your doctor to test your eye pressure. That way, your doctor will be able to act fast if you need more treatment.
The goal of glaucoma surgeries is to reduce intraocular pressure to protect the optic nerve and retain vision. Laser therapy is done to improve drainage , is less invasive and faster in recovery time. Traditional surgery is used to construct a new drainage pathway and is suitable for patients with advanced glaucoma , when other treatments have failed to control the eye pressure it has more recovery time but more long-term effectiveness. The kind and severity of the glaucoma, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences, all influence the treatment decision.
Glaucoma laser surgeries help to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. The length of time the IOP remains lower depends on the type of laser surgery, the type of glaucoma, age, race, and many other factors. Some people may need the surgery repeated to better control the pressure IOP.
