Glaucoma

If you are suffering from glaucoma, book an appointment with the eye specialists at personalEYES. We provide comprehensive glaucoma treatment that can help stop the progression of the disease.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that leads to the slow destruction of the optic nerve at the back of the eye, which then causes vision loss. Glaucoma is referred to as the ‘sneak thief of sight’ because most people don’t experience symptoms until it is very advanced. That’s why 50% of people with glaucoma in Australia are undiagnosed.

Glaucoma damage progresses very slowly and destroys vision gradually, starting with side vision. The damage is both irreversible and progressive.

Risk Factors

More than 300,000 Australians have Glaucoma. While it is more common as people age, it can occur at any time of life. Having an affected family member increases your risk of developing glaucoma by approximately 8 times. As our population ages, the proportion of glaucoma patients continues to increase. One in 8 Australians over 80 will develop glaucoma.

Glaucoma Treatment Options

It is important to remember that treatment cannot recover what has been lost. Treatment aims to arrest, or at least, slow down the damage process. That is why it is so important to detect the problem as early as possible. This allows us to start treatment with as little damage to the vision as possible.

Contact personalEYES to begin treatment with the leading eye specialists in NSW and ACT.

All current glaucoma treatments lower the eye pressure to a level where your glaucoma doesn’t get worse. This may take time to establish.

Eye Drops

The vast majority of people are treated with eye drops that they take indefinitely, either once a day or twice a day. Sometimes the first drop that you try may not be right for you and your doctor will prescribe an alternative. Some people need to be on 2 or 3 types of eye drops.

Tablets

Sometimes people take tablets for a short time to lower pressure in the eye. Tablets are usually used in urgent situations to control eye preassure prior to surgery.

Laser Treatment

Some people elect to have laser treatments or MIGS implants to lower pressure instead of eye drops. While laser treatments are as effective as eye drops, they tend to wear off over time. MIGS implants are permanent and are often performed during cataract surgery. In some cases, a combination of treatments is used to manage glaucoma.

Different Forms of Glaucoma

Chronic (primary open-angle) Glaucoma

This is the most common form of the disease. It is characterised by a structurally normal eye with potentially raised intraocular pressure inside the eye.

Acute (angle-closure) Glaucoma

This is when the pressure inside the eye rapidly increases due to the iris blocking the drainage of fluid in the eye. An attack of acute closure is often severe. People suffer pain, nausea, blurred vision and redness of the eye. Immediate medical help should be sought. If treatment is delayed, there can be permanent visual damage in a very short time. Usually, laser surgery performed promptly can clear the blockage and protect against visual impairment.

Congenital Glaucoma

This is a rare form of glaucoma caused by an abnormal drainage system. It can exist at birth or develop soon after. Parents may note that their child is sensitive to light, has enlarged and cloudy eyes, and experiences excessive watering. Surgery is usually needed.

Secondary Glaucoma

This can develop as a result of other disorders of the eye such as injuries, cataracts and eye inflammation. Treatment depends on the exact cause.

Get in touch with the eye specialists at personalEYES today to discuss your options for glaucoma treatment. Make a booking online, or call us on 1300 68 3937.