Glaucoma
Glaucoma Treatment Brisbane
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which delivers information from the eye to the brain. This damage is usually the result of abnormally high pressure in the eyes.
If left untreated, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and can eventually lead to complete blindness. Glaucoma often has no warning signs, and you may not notice a change in vision until the disease is at an advanced stage. Rather, 50 percent of people with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease.
While glaucoma can occur at any age, it is far more common in older adults. In fact, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people aged over 60.
There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle glaucoma is far more common and occurs when eye pressure slowly increases, causing gradual vision loss over time. Angle-closure glaucoma develops when fluid pressure in the eye builds up quickly. This cause blindness in just a few days and is considered a medical emergency.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma develops due to damage to the optic nerve, which is usually related to increased pressure in the eye. Such an increase in eye pressure is usually due to a buildup of fluid (aqueous humor) that flows throughout the inside of the eye. Normally, this fluid drains through channels in the cornea and iris. However, if these channels are blocked or obstructed, the natural pressure of the eye (also known as intraocular pressure or IOP) may increase. As your IOP continues to increase, so does damage to the optic nerve. As this damage progresses, you may begin losing vision.
It isn’t entirely known what causes this fluid buildup in the eye, however some risk factors to be aware of include:
- Being over 60
- Having a family history of glaucoma
- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease
- Thin corneas
- Being extremely nearsighted or farsighted
- Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications, especially eyedrops
- Previous eye injury or eye surgery
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
The symptoms of glaucoma can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. For instance, open-angle glaucoma has no real signs or symptoms, aside from gradual vision loss. Angle-closure glaucoma, on the other hand, is a medical emergency, and sufferers experience sudden symptoms, such as:
- Severe eye pain
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Eye redness
- Sudden vision disturbances
- Seeing halos around lights
If you experience any of these symptoms, please talk to your eye doctor immediately.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Dr Jayne Camuglia will look for signs of glaucoma during a routine eye exam. She will check the pressure of the eye along with look for other features in the eye and examine the optic nerves. If she does suspect glaucoma, she will also order special imaging tests to do on the day in the clinic eg. Visual field test, Ocular Coherence Tomography OCT.
Is glaucoma preventable?
While glaucoma cannot be prevented, you can take measures to prevent further vision loss and ensure that glaucoma is detected early. Since glaucoma can be hereditary, you should learn about your family’s eye health history to determine whether you may need more frequent screening. Regardless, you should undergo regular eye exams to protect your eye health and ensure that any complications are addressed before vision loss occurs.
Dr Jayne Camuglia will help formulate a treatment plan based on your type of glaucoma to help reduce progression.
How is glaucoma treated?
While vision loss from glaucoma cannot be reversed, treatment measures aim to prevent the condition from worsening. Dr Jayne Camuglia may begin treatment by prescribing eye drops or oral medication that aims to slow the creation of fluid and improve drainage in the eyes. In more severe cases, you may require laser eye surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Glaucoma surgery uses a laser to drain fluid from the eye and is designed to lower eye pressure. This is a relatively simple procedure and takes just five minutes to complete.
Prior to treatment, Dr Jayne Camuglia will numb your eyes with anaesthetic drops and place a contact lens on the eye to precisely focus the laser. She will apply the laser to the drainage area of the eye using a special lens to drain the excess fluid. You may see some flashes of green or red light during the procedure, however, you should feel little pain or discomfort.
Keep in mind that the effects of glaucoma laser surgery do wear off over time, meaning that you may require additional treatments in future.
More advanced glaucoma may require a Tube or a Trabeculectomy which helps extra drainage of fluid from the eye. Dr Jayne Camuglia will refer you to an expert Glaucoma Surgeon if this is required.
Before your glaucoma laser surgery, Dr Jayne Camuglia will let you know of any steps you may need to prepare. Although this is a minimally invasive procedure, you will receive an anaesthetic and should not drive afterwards. Please arrange for alternative transportation to and from your appointment.
Glaucoma laser surgery requires little downtime, and you should be able to resume most normal activities immediately, with the exception of driving. You may experience some blurry vision or a gritty sensation in the eye, however, this should resolve within two to three days.
It can take between four and 12 weeks to see the full effects of the treatment. You will need to see Dr Jayne Camuglia for a post-operative appointment, where she will check your eye pressure and determine whether the treatment has worked. She may also decide that you should remain on your glaucoma medication to keep your eye pressure under control.
No procedure is without risk. Although complications after glaucoma surgery are uncommon, they may include:
- Eye pain
- Eye redness
- Vision loss
- Eye infection
- Inflammation
- Eye bleeding
- Increase in eye pressure
If you notice anything abnormal following your glaucoma laser surgery, you should get in touch with Dr Jayne Camuglia immediately.
Dr Jayne Camuglia is a General Adult and Paediatric Ophthalmologist with a particular interest in glaucoma. If you believe that you may have glaucoma, please get in touch to see Dr Camuglia today.