Glaucoma
Condition:
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurry vision.
Treatments:
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss by damaging the optic nerve. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow down its progression and prevent further damage. Here are five common treatments for glaucoma:
Medication:
Eye Drops: These are the most common form of treatment for glaucoma. They work by either decreasing the production of aqueous humor (the fluid in the eye) or improving its drainage. There are various types of eye drops, including prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
Oral Medications: In some cases, oral medications may be prescribed to help reduce intraocular pressure. These are usually used when eye drops are insufficient or not well-tolerated.
Laser Therapy:
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): This laser procedure is used to improve the drainage of fluid from the eye, reducing intraocular pressure. It is typically considered for open-angle glaucoma.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI): This procedure creates a small hole in the iris to improve the flow of fluid in the eye, particularly in cases of narrow-angle glaucoma.
Cyclophotocoagulation: This laser treatment is used for more advanced cases of glaucoma. It targets the ciliary body, which produces aqueous humor, to reduce its production.
Surgery:
Trabeculectomy: This surgical procedure creates a new drainage channel in the eye to help reduce intraocular pressure. It’s one of the most common types of glaucoma surgery.
Tube Shunt Surgery: In this procedure, a small tube is inserted into the eye to improve drainage. It’s often used in cases where trabeculectomy is less likely to be successful.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): These are newer, less invasive surgical techniques that aim to lower intraocular pressure. Examples include iStent, CyPass, and Xen Gel Stent.
Laser Cycloablation:
This procedure uses a laser to destroy a portion of the ciliary body, which produces the aqueous humor. By reducing its production, intraocular pressure is lowered.
Micro-invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS):
MIGS procedures involve the use of tiny devices to create a new pathway for fluid drainage or to reduce fluid production. These are typically less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgeries and have a shorter recovery time.