El Glaucoma is a serious, progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, an essential component for vision, and can lead to blindness if not treated properly. Although commonly associated with elderly people, glaucoma does not discriminate by age and can affect both children and young adults. This pathology often develops when the fluid circulating inside the eye, known as aqueous humor, is not drained effectively. This inadequate drainage results in an increase in intraocular pressure, which over time can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve.
La Glaucoma surgery is one of the most effective treatments for controlling intraocular pressure and preventing further damage to the optic nerve.. Depending on the type and severity of glaucoma, different surgical techniques can be used, such as trabeculectomy, which creates a new drainage channel for the aqueous humor, or the implantation of drainage devices. At Nivaria Clinic, Our glaucoma specialists use the latest technologies and advanced surgical techniques to personalize treatment according to each patient's individual needs, maximizing the chances of preserving vision and improving quality of life.
What is glaucoma and how does it affect vision?
Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve, crucial for vision. If left unchecked, this damage can lead to permanent vision loss, typically starting with peripheral vision before affecting central vision.
What are the types of glaucoma that may require surgery?
The main types of glaucoma include open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is more common and usually requires surgery when medications fail to effectively reduce eye pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma may require immediate surgical intervention to prevent rapid and severe damage to the optic nerve.
What surgical options are available to treat glaucoma?
Options include trabeculectomy, which creates a new drainage for the aqueous humor, and implantation of microscopic drainage devices to facilitate fluid flow and reduce intraocular pressure. Newer techniques also include minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), which offers fewer complications and faster recovery times.
How do you decide which surgical procedure is right for a patient?
The choice of surgical procedure depends on several factors, including the type and severity of glaucoma, the general health of the eye, and the response to previous treatments. At Clínica Nivaria, our glaucoma specialists carefully evaluate each case to select the safest and most effective option for each patient.
What are the risks associated with glaucoma surgery?
Although glaucoma surgery is generally safe, like any surgical procedure, it carries risks. These may include infection, inflammation, increased eye pressure, or in rare cases, vision loss. However, the risk of not treating active glaucoma is much higher, as it can lead to blindness.
What can I expect during recovery from glaucoma surgery?
Recovery may vary depending on the type of surgery performed. Typically, patients may experience mild discomfort, redness, or blurred vision during the first few weeks. Detailed instructions on post-operative care and follow-up appointments are provided to monitor recovery and adjust treatment if necessary.
Is glaucoma surgery curative?
Glaucoma surgery does not cure the disease, but it can stop or significantly slow the progression of damage to the optic nerve. Continued monitoring and, in some cases, additional treatment is essential to maintain eye pressure within a safe range over the long term.
What technologies does Clínica Nivaria use for glaucoma surgery?
We use cutting-edge technologies, including laser surgery and MIGS, that allow for more precise and less invasive procedures, facilitating a faster recovery and reducing the risks associated with traditional surgical techniques.
How do I know if I am a candidate for glaucoma surgery?
If you are being treated for glaucoma and your doctor suggests that medication is not enough to control your intraocular pressure, a detailed evaluation can determine if surgery is appropriate. At Clínica Nivaria, we offer a comprehensive evaluation to make the best therapeutic decision.
What should I do to prepare for glaucoma surgery?
Before surgery, it is important to follow your ophthalmologist's instructions, which may include stopping certain medications and using preoperative drops to prepare the eye. It is also crucial to discuss any additional health conditions you may have to ensure a safe procedure and recovery.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
At first, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms. It does not cause pain and vision remains normal.
Without treatment, people with glaucoma slowly lose their lateral (peripheral) vision. It is as if they were looking through a tunnel. Over time, the central vision (forward) may also decrease until it is completely lost. Glaucoma can develop in one eye or both.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Undergoing frequent and routine eye exams is the best way to detect glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will check the eye's drainage angle (gonioscopy), evaluate the optic nerve (ophthalmoscopy, OCT), measure the eye pressure (tonometry) and check the visual field of each eye (computerized perimetry). The information collected from these tests is periodically compared to determine if glaucoma damage has progressed over time. Periodic controls play a crucial role in the early detection of glaucoma.
Can glaucoma be treated?
Yes. Immediate treatment in the first stage of open-angle glaucoma can delay disease progression. That is why it is very important that glaucoma is diagnosed in time.
Treatment for glaucoma includes medications, laser surgery (trabeculoplasty), conventional surgery or a combination of any of these methods. Although these treatments can protect your eyesight, they do not improve eyesight that you have already lost due to glaucoma.
Frequently asked questions about glaucoma
Why doesn't the patient realize that he is losing vision?
In glaucoma, visual loss begins in the peripheral area of the visual field, on which we are less dependent, and it happens slowly. These are the factors why the patient is not aware of the deterioration of his vision.
From what age can it appear?
In general, glaucoma is a disease that appears after 40 years. The risk of glaucoma increases with age; However, there are subtypes of glaucoma that debut at an early age.
What causes optic nerve injury in Glaucoma?
The increase in intraocular tension is the main factor involved in optic nerve damage, although there are others. The increase in tension is caused by difficulty in the exit of the liquid that nourishes the inside of the eyeball, called aqueous humor.
Is having high intraocular pressure synonymous with glaucoma?
Not everyone who has high intraocular pressure develops glaucoma. In addition, a time is required for said pressure increase to cause nerve damage. But having it high increases the risk of nerve damage.
What is normal intraocular pressure?
It is generally considered to be elevated when it is above 21 mm.Hg.
How can I know if I have glaucoma?
You should see your Ophthalmologist to check intraocular pressure annually starting at 40 years. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you should go before that age to review.
Are there hereditary factors?
Having first-degree relatives who suffer from glaucoma increases the risk of this disease, but it does not mean that it will develop in all cases.
Is glaucoma cured after surgery?
No. Glaucoma is a chronic disease that causes an unrecoverable decrease in vision. The purpose of the surgery is to reduce the ocular tension to stop the loss of vision caused by the damage of the optic nerve, but not to recover the lost fibers.
