A procedure performed to reduce the eye pressure to stabilize vision and prevent loss of vision in the future due to glaucoma is known as glaucoma surgery.
A group of eye conditions that lead to damage to the optic nerve where it leaves the eye is known as glaucoma. It can cause loss of vision.
The optic nerve is a nerve that carries images from the retina, which is a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, to the brain, allowing a person to see.
In most cases of glaucoma, there is a fluid buildup in the front part of the eye. The extra fluid puts pressure on the eye and gradually damages the optic nerve. This pressure is known as eye pressure or intraocular pressure. However, some people having normal eye pressure can still get glaucoma.
Types:The different types of glaucoma include:
1. Open-angle glaucoma:
2. Normal-tension glaucoma:
This is a less common type of open-angle glaucoma.
It is also known as normal-pressure and low-tension glaucoma.
The eye pressure may be considered to be normal for the general population, but it is considered to be too high for that particular eye and leads to optic nerve damage.
3. Closed-angle glaucoma:
This is a less common type of glaucoma.
It is also known as narrow-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and acute glaucoma.
It occurs due to the narrowing of the iris (the part of the eye that is responsible for a person’s eye color) or blocking of the drainage angle (the point where the iris and the white covering of the eye, known as the sclera, meet).
This causes an abrupt and rapid increase in eye pressure, leading to sudden symptoms.
This is a medical emergency and may lead to vision loss in a single day.
4. Congenital glaucoma:
It is a condition present at birth.
The condition occurs when the drainage system of the eye fails to develop properly during the development of the fetus.
Causes: Glaucoma occurs without any known cause but can be affected by several factors.
The most important factor that could lead to glaucoma is intraocular eye pressure.
The eyes produce a fluid known as aqueous humor, that helps in the nourishment of the eyes.
This fluid flows through the pupil (the dark-colored openings at the center of the eyes to let light in) to the front part of the eye.
In the case of a healthy eye, this fluid leaves through a drainage canal that is located between the iris and cornea (the outer clear layer at the front of the eye).
In the case of glaucoma, the drainage canals get clogged with microscopic deposits.
The fluid has no other place to go, so it builds up in the eye.
This excess fluid starts to put pressure on the eye.
This elevated eye pressure eventually damages the optic nerve to cause glaucoma.
Risk factors: Certain factors increase the risk of developing glaucoma and may include:
Symptoms:
The symptoms of open-angle glaucoma usually arrive gradually and subtly. Many individuals having open-angle glaucoma have no noticeable symptoms early on. Closed-angle glaucoma may have more severe symptoms, that may arrive suddenly.
The symptoms of glaucoma may include the following:
The following regular eye exams are necessary to diagnose glaucoma or other eye-related problems:
The treatment aims at improving the flow of fluid from the eye, reducing fluid production, or both. This can be done in the following ways:
1. Eye drops or medications:
2. Laser therapy:
Laser therapy is recommended when eye drops fail to improve glaucoma symptoms.
A high-energy beam of light is carefully aimed at a part of the eye to stop fluid buildup inside it.
The procedure is generally performed by putting local anesthesia drops in the eyes to numb them.
The different types of laser therapy are:
3. Surgery:
A glaucoma surgery is recommended in cases where eye drops or lasers have been ineffective.
Glaucoma surgery can be carried out under local anesthesia, which is used to numb the area of the surgery, or general anesthesia, in which the patient is put to sleep during the procedure.
The different types of glaucoma surgeries include:
The following complications may be associated with a glaucoma surgery: