What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an ophthalmological issue which involves gradual damage of the optic nerve that carries the image from the eye to our central nervous system. Now Glaucoma has become a prevalent disease in Asian countries and the United States. It is associated with high intraocular pressure. In severe cases, patients even lose their peripheral vision, and it gradually progresses towards the central vision and causes a blind spot if it is not treated on time.
In the early stage, patients may not see any symptoms and can’t identify the issues. Therefore, ophthalmologists always suggest routine eye check-ups after age 60 for men and women. Daily eye examinations help eye surgeons identify Glaucoma at an early stage and treat it minimally invasively.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests to have an eye examination:
Every 5-10 years of, people below the age of 40.
Every 2-4 years for people of age 40-54.
Every 1-3 years for people of age 55-64.
Every 1-2 years for people age 65 & older who have diabetes or other risk factors of Glaucoma such as nearsightedness, genetic carrier of Glaucoma, or having a thin cornea.
Common Symptoms of Glaucoma include:
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Cloudy vision or reduced vision
- Haloes around lights
If you develop such symptoms, these can result from Glaucoma, so consult with your doctors and get diagnosed before it is too late.
How is Glaucoma treated?
Traditional Surgery: it is also known as Trabeculectomy or tube shunt. The doctor uses the patient’s own tissue to create a new drainage pathway in the eye for fluid to bypass the natural and damaged drainage system that is not functioning properly.
Traditional Glaucoma surgeries come with a reasonable risk of side effects such as bleeding inside the eye, cataract formation, decreased vision, double vision, infection in the eye, swelling of the cornea or retina after Surgery, and pressure drop in an extensive way.
The latest Glaucoma Treatments
Medication: Glaucoma treatment starts with topical medicines to minimize intraocular pressure—some of the latest medicines available in the market name VYZULTA& Rhopressa. VYZULTA is the current class medicine of prostaglandin analogues to treat Glaucoma from the root. This drug reduces intraocular pressure by improving the drainage of aqueous humour from the eye.
Rhopress is another new class of drug is known as RHO-kinase inhibitors. It reduces intraocular pressure by driving the aqueous outflow.
Laser surgery
It is mainly known as Selective laser trabeculoplasty, which decreases intraocular pressure by driving the aqueous outflow of fluid from the eyes. SLT is safer than traditional Surgery and reduces fluid pressure by 20-30%. Now doctors use it as the first line of treatment after advanced medications. Also, doctor performs laser surgeries whose Glaucoma is not controllable only through medication.
This treatment is also appropriate for patients who are intolerant to eye drops and looking for alternative treatment.
Alternative Drug delivery
It is also known as Duryasta, where your ophthalmologist incorporates a pellet of bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue, directly injected into the anterior chamber of the eyes in an entirely safe and safe and painless precise way. The pellet gradually dissolves over time and reduces the eye pressure without putting a drop for a few months.
MIGS
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is the most advanced eye treatment to minimize intraocular pressure by increasing the affected eyes’ internal aqueous humour drainage system. Some of the MIGS are implemented as standalone procedures and again, it is some time performed with cataract surgery for visually significant cataracts and mild to moderate Glaucoma.
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved different types of MIGS, and they are now available in Asian and US medical facilities. Now MIGS performed by making a small incision in the affected eye with very less tissue trauma. MIGS is preferably the safest Glaucoma surgery with quick Healing, fast recovery than traditional glaucoma surgery.
Micro-invasive Glaucoma Surgery or MIGS, offers reduced risk with Fast Healing
Micro-invasive Glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is the latest and advanced procedure designed to reduce the risk associated with traditional glaucoma surgery. MIGS is performed with precision laser, microscopic implant, & tiny incisions in the eyes. All these in elements ease the Healing process and the consequence is fast visual recovery compared to traditional Glaucoma surgery.
When a patient suffers from Glaucoma along with cataract, Laser MIGS is the ultimate procedure to cure both disease in a single treatment. However, some MIGS procedure used to perform as the separate procedure.
Experts concluded that MIGS is an exciting less invasive treatment, or newest treatment of Glaucoma. It should be done by experienced surgeon with years of experience and technical expertise. The ophthalmology, is constantly progressing with advanced medical science. Therefore, ophthalmologists should be updated with all new technologies that can be a boon for their patients. However, laser is the trendiest option in Glaucoma treatment with very positive outcome.
