glaucoma
Moderator: talkhealth
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virginia59
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:53 pm
glaucoma
I have to keep using drops for glaucoma, can an operation to cure this?
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Mr James McAllister
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:48 pm
Re: glaucoma
Thank you for your question.
"Can an operation cure glaucoma"?
To try and answer this question with a yes or no is not possible but I'll try and explain the usefulness of glaucoma surgery in helping control loss of vision.
Glaucoma describes a group of conditions in which the nerve that takes the vision from the eye to the brain
(the optic nerve) deteriorates . This results in gradually reducing the field of vision and is usually related to pressure in the eye thats too high for the health of the eye.
There are several types of glaucoma and the most common is in this country called chronic or primary open angle glaucoma.
Pressure in the eye, field of vision and the appearance looking in the eye of the optic nerve result in the diagnosis and with good screening in opticians and other clinics especially with a family history and usually over 40 years of age detection as in most diseases can be early and give the best chance of a good long term outcome.
Treatment with many different available types of eye drops is usually very effective at producing a believed
safe eye pressure which then has to be regularly checked with visual fields and pressures through out life.
OF course using eye drops is a nuisance and irritation and side effects should be discussed with the eye doctor(ophthalmologist),and remembering to take the drops is a very human problem as we would all admit!
IF drops are not tolerated or pressure not well controlled then making a small releasing opening under the
upper eyelid into the eye can control the pressure for many years giving less tendency for the nerve and vision to deteriorate. their always risks to surgery that your ophthalmologist will discuss with you but it can
provide real help in those needing better pressure control.( This is called a trabeculectomy).
A big subject but I hope that helps and your eye doctor will be able talk you through your suitability for such an operation in each particular case.
"Can an operation cure glaucoma"?
To try and answer this question with a yes or no is not possible but I'll try and explain the usefulness of glaucoma surgery in helping control loss of vision.
Glaucoma describes a group of conditions in which the nerve that takes the vision from the eye to the brain
(the optic nerve) deteriorates . This results in gradually reducing the field of vision and is usually related to pressure in the eye thats too high for the health of the eye.
There are several types of glaucoma and the most common is in this country called chronic or primary open angle glaucoma.
Pressure in the eye, field of vision and the appearance looking in the eye of the optic nerve result in the diagnosis and with good screening in opticians and other clinics especially with a family history and usually over 40 years of age detection as in most diseases can be early and give the best chance of a good long term outcome.
Treatment with many different available types of eye drops is usually very effective at producing a believed
safe eye pressure which then has to be regularly checked with visual fields and pressures through out life.
OF course using eye drops is a nuisance and irritation and side effects should be discussed with the eye doctor(ophthalmologist),and remembering to take the drops is a very human problem as we would all admit!
IF drops are not tolerated or pressure not well controlled then making a small releasing opening under the
upper eyelid into the eye can control the pressure for many years giving less tendency for the nerve and vision to deteriorate. their always risks to surgery that your ophthalmologist will discuss with you but it can
provide real help in those needing better pressure control.( This is called a trabeculectomy).
A big subject but I hope that helps and your eye doctor will be able talk you through your suitability for such an operation in each particular case.
Mr James McAllister
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ophthalmic Surgeon
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