What is glaucoma
It is a disease caused by a disturbance in the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye. The aqueous humor is the substance that fills the anterior chamber of the eye. Its task is to nourish the cornea and the lens of the eye and remove harmful waste products. If the aqueous humor is not drained out, the pressure in the eyeball increases, which in turn can damage the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells, as well as narrow the field of vision and reduce visual acuity. Therefore, untreated glaucoma can cause blindness.
Glaucoma treatment
In most cases, we start treatment with anti-glaucoma drops. The goal of treatment is to reach the target pressure. The target pressure is the pressure in the eye that does not cause any further changes in the optic nerve, and thus the field of vision does not deteriorate. If we cannot lower the pressure with drops to the desired level, we offer laser and surgical procedures.
Trabeculectomy:an operation that aims to create an artificial fistula through which the aqueous fluid can escape from the anterior chamber. The operation is very effective, unfortunately it carries the risk of complications, including cataracts – that is why cataracts are often operated together with glaucoma. Trabeculectomy with ExPress drainage implant: an improved version of trabeculectomy. During this operation, the surgeon uses a very thin needle to insert a microscopic implant made of surgical steel into the eye. Unfortunately – due to the need to use a precise implant – the cost of such an operation is more serious than in the case of traditional trabeculectomy.
Phacotrabeculectomy:people suffering from glaucoma and cataracts can undergo a combined operation: trabeculectomy with implantation of an artificial foldable lens.
Implantation of Xen Gel implants:the operation involves inserting a 45 micrometer flexible tube into the patient’s eye under the conjunctiva. The implant creates a fluid drainage tunnel, which lowers the pressure in the eyeball. It starts working as soon as it is placed in the eye. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, it is painless and minimally invasive. The patient leaves the clinic on the day of the procedure. Follow-up visits will be appointed by the operating physician. Recommended for patients over 18 years of age with open-angle glaucoma, in whom the treatment does not bring the expected results. The implantation procedure increases the chance of successfully stopping the disease and prevents blindness.