info@safwalaservision.com +2(03) 4222227
info@safwalaservision.com +2(03) 4222227
Glaucoma is a family of more than 30 diseases that affects pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure), and damages the optic nerve. When pressure inside the eye increases, blind spots in peripheral areas of vision may occur. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Often called the “sneak thief” of sight, most forms of glaucoma do not produce symptoms until vision is already severely damaged. If diagnosed early, the disease can be controlled and permanent vision loss can usually be prevented.
There are several types of glaucoma.
The drainage angle is open but does not allow fluid to drain adequately for unknown reasons.
Pigment dislodged from the iris obstructs the eye’s drainage structures.
Deposits of a fibrillary material that may contribute to the obstruction of the fluid drainage from the eye.
Acute closure of the peripheral drainage angle, characterized by a sudden increase in intraocular pressure.
The iris obstructs the eye’s drainage angle in a slow, progressive fashion.
Scar tissue from previous trauma obstructs the outflow of fluid.
Various disorders cause blood vessels to proliferate on the iris and in the eye’s drainage structures.
The eye’s drainage channels form abnormally during gestation.
Safwa Laser vision consultants are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. To achieve an accurate assessment, experienced ophthalmologists or optometrists perform a comprehensive glaucoma screening that consists of three non-invasive, pain-free procedures:
Measurement of intraocular eye pressure (IOP): Elevated IOP is considered a major risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Studies have shown that optic nerve damage becomes more likely as the IOP increases.
Assessment of the optic nerve: A non-invasive slit lamp biomicroscope is used to determine whether or not there are changes in the optic nerve in the diagnosis for glaucoma. Newer diagnostic studies, including Spectral domain optical coherence tomography- OCT now permit precise determination of optic nerve characteristics that cannot be detected by the unaided human eye. Safwa Laser Vision has a Heidelberg HRA-OCT which takes high-resolution in-depth photos allowing very early diagnosis of this debilitating disease.
Evaluation of a patient’s visual field: Glaucomatous damage produces characteristic defects in the visual field.
Both medical and surgical glaucoma treatment decrease intraocular pressure for the purpose of slowing or halting optic nerve damage. Different types of glaucoma require different therapies to prevent further damage to the eye’s structures.
At the beginning of treatment, the doctor will generally recommend medication or a combination of medications for the specific condition.
Eye drops (or a combination of eye drops and pills) to reduce intraocular pressure. Several different classes of glaucoma medications are available to provide pressure reduction including beta blockers, prostaglandin analogues, alpha adrenergic agonists, miotic, epinephrine compounds, and oral and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These medications work by either reducing the rate at which fluid in the eye is produced or increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.
Laser treatment to open the drainage angle (laser peripheral iridotomy) for closed angle glaucoma.
Trabeculectomy Surgery to create a new passage for fluid drainage. Surgery is usually reserved for cases that cannot be controlled by medication and after appropriate laser treatment.
Regular diagnostic examinations by an ophthalmologist are the key to preventing loss of vision due to glaucoma. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors, specialists in eye care and trained to examine and treat eye diseases. Although there is no way to reverse damage, if glaucoma is diagnosed and treated early, blindness almost always is preventable
