Eye Surgery & Care

Glaucoma Treatment

What exactly is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition in which the intraocular pressure is sufficiently high to progressively damage the optic nerve, resulting in progressive loss of peripheral vision. The eye physicians at Risus Clinic are specialize in glaucoma treatment and surgery.

Varieties of Glaucoma

1. Chronic Angle-Opening Glaucoma

The most prevalent form of glaucoma is chronic open angle glaucoma, in which the outflow of aqueous humor is molecularly obstructed. The loss of peripheral vision is a benign, progressive decline. The absence of symptoms in this form of glaucoma is one reason why periodic ocular examinations are so crucial. In addition to assessing intraocular pressure, the ophthalmologist will conduct computerized visual field testing and objectively measure the optic nerve.

2. Chronic Angle-Opening Glaucoma in Istanbul – Risus Clinic

At Risus Clinic, we are measuring the optic nerve and nerve fiber layer in glaucoma management.

The primary objective of treatment for open-angle glaucoma is to reduce intraocular pressure. It could be treated with glaucoma eye medications, the Selecta Trabeculoplasty laser, or standard surgery. At Risus Clinic Istanbul, we offer Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, a procedure in which a gentle laser is used to enhance the outflow of aqueous while minimizing the use of traditional eyedrops.

3. Angle Closure Glaucoma

In angle closure glaucoma, the iris or colored portion of the eye restricts the aqueous humor's exit. It can manifest as a red eye with blurred vision and be extremely excruciating. Using an Argon Yag laser, a small opening is made in the iris's periphery to assuage the buildup of aqueous and reduce eye pressure.

FAQ

Glaucoma Treatment in Istanbul – Risus clinic, the majority of glaucoma patients do not become blind. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, approximately 5 percent of glaucoma patients develop blindness. However, you may suffer from significant visual impairment, which can have a negative impact on your quality of life and independence. Approximately 10% of glaucoma sufferers will experience significant vision loss.

In glaucoma patients, an early diagnosis, appropriate interventions, and follow-up care can stabilize the damage to the optic nerve caused by elevated intraocular pressure, preventing further impairment.

Depending on the severity of the eye disease, glaucoma will vary. Common visual symptoms include the need for more light to see clearly, impaired vision, poor contrast vision, loss of peripheral (side) vision, and glare perception.

As glaucoma progresses, daily activities can be challenging. Observing objects and images with similar tones can be difficult, and light sensitivity and glare on reflective surfaces can exacerbate these difficulties.

You can lessen the impact of these visual glaucoma symptoms by avoiding nighttime driving for safety reasons and by wearing tinted sunglasses and eyeglass lenses to enhance contrast and reduce glare. In most commercial buildings, lenses with a yellow, brown, or amber hue may work best to reduce or eliminate the glare caused by fluorescent lighting.

Unfortunately, neither treatment nor surgery can restore vision once it has been lost due to glaucoma. In glaucoma patients, the abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP) damages the optic nerve and the neurons in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue lining the rear of the eyes).

Glaucoma is a category of eye diseases distinguished by elevated intraocular pressure. You are more likely to develop glaucoma if you have the following risk factors:

  • You are over the age of 60.
  • You are of African descent.
  • You suffer from diabetes or another systemic illness, migraines, or poor circulation.
  • You have an ocular injury history.
  • A parent or grandparent of yours has open-angle glaucoma. (A close relative with glaucoma can increase your risk by four to ninefold.)

This eye disease is more prevalent in people aged 60 and older, but in uncommon cases it can occur at birth or in younger individuals (congenital or developmental glaucoma).

Complete Eye Exam in Istanbul – Risus Clinic, it is referred to as the "silent thief of sight," more than half of glaucoma patients are unaware of their condition. High IOP can cause injury to the optic nerve and neurons in the retina before vision changes occur. Glaucoma causes gradual vision loss, impacting peripheral vision first.

Vision loss and blindness caused by glaucoma must be prevented by means of thorough eye examinations. These examinations detect elevated IOP before damage occurs, and the sooner you begin glaucoma treatment, the less likely you are to experience significant vision loss.

The exception is acute angle-closure, which causes sudden vision changes and is accompanied by headache, nausea, severe eye pain, blurred vision, and in some cases rainbow-like halos when gazing at lights. This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency requiring prompt IOP reduction to prevent vision loss.

Glaucoma treatment typically begins with eye drops prescribed to reduce eye pressure and prevent nerve injury. As the disease progresses, laser therapy and surgery may be required to drain the surplus fluid and reduce IOP. MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries) operate to drain fluid and control intraocular pressure (IOP) but reduce the side effects of more invasive surgeries by using tiny incisions and microscopic equipment.