Glaucoma surgery
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition where the optic nerve — the vital connection between the eye and the brain — becomes damaged.
This damage most often occurs because of raised pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure.
Glaucoma usually affects peripheral (side) vision first. Because this type of vision loss is subtle, many people don’t realise they have glaucoma until the condition has progressed and central vision is also affected. Unfortunately, once the optic nerve is damaged, the loss of vision cannot be reversed.
The aim of treatment is to protect the optic nerve and prevent any further loss of sight. The most effective way to achieve this is by lowering intraocular pressure.
Several ways to lower intraocular pressure
This can be done in several ways, including:
Glaucoma drops
There are many types of glaucoma drops but they all function by reducing the pressure inside the eye.
Glaucoma drops are very effective. However, if they are not used, the pressure rises again within 24 hours.
They can all have side effects if used in the long term such as dry eyes, eye irritation, darkening of the skin around the eyelids and “sinking” of the eyes into the eye sockets.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
SLT laser is a painless procedure which increases the amount of fluid that the eye drains, thus lowering the pressure.
Gentle laser is applied to the trabecular meshwork, the part of the eye responsible for fluid drainage.
SLT laser is an effective, safe alternative to glaucoma drops. It is important to realise that the effect of the SLT laser can wear off over time (usually years). If this occurs, the SLT laser can be repeated.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
MIGS refers to the many different types of glaucoma operations (performed in an operating theatre) procedures which work by lowering the intraocular pressure.
Common types of MIGS procedures include:
- Istent
- Hydrus stent
- Preserflow shunt
Trabeculectomy
In a trabeculectomy, a “trap-door” is created in the wall of the eye.
Through this, fluid from inside the eye very slowly flows out of the eye, thus lowering the pressure.
Glaucoma drainage devices
Glaucoma drainage devices, also known as glaucoma “tubes” work through insertion of a tube inside the eye which drains fluid to the outside of the eye.
Common types of tubes include the Paul tube, Baerveldt tube and Ahmed tube.