Glaucoma is a common disease that affects the optic nerve which carries information from the eye to the brain.
If left untreated it may cause progressive vision loss and in severe cases even blindness.
Glaucoma results in a typical pattern of peripheral vision loss (tunnel vision) which will often go unnoticed by patients – relying upon detection through routine checks by eye-care professionals.
Glaucoma has a number of well known risk factors including elevated intra-ocular pressure and a family history of the disease.
Thankfully, early detection can result in access to vision saving treatments that can halt progression of the disease and save your vision.
Aspect Eye Surgeons is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment to enable expert diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.
When you are referred for a glaucoma assessment you will undergo a thorough assessment of your risk factors for glaucoma.
We will measure your vision, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness and thoroughly examine the front and back of your eye for signs of glaucoma. You will also undergo mapping of your peripheral vision and detailed measurement of your optic nerve and macula utilising the latest optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology.
If a diagnosis of glaucoma is confirmed your surgeon will discuss treatment options with you.
Glaucoma treatment is aimed at reducing the pressure inside the eye, which has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of glaucoma worsening.
First line therapies typically involve a choice of topical medication or painless, gentle laser treatment (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) that may lower eye pressure without the need for taking drops.
More advanced or difficult to control glaucoma may require surgery to achieve adequate pressure lowering.
Trabeculectomy surgery aims to create an alternative pathway for fluid to drain from the eye, thus lowering the eye pressure. This results in creation of a bubble (bleb) on the eye surface hidden under the upper eyelid where fluid slowly diffuses out of the eye.
Our practice offers access to the latest minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
The preserflo glaucoma drainage device uses a soft, synthetic, small aperture tube to form a controlled bleb under the upper eyelid. It achieves excellent pressure control with an excellent safety profile.
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma and also require cataract surgery you may benefit from implantation of a glaucoma drainage device or stent at the time of surgery. This may result in a reduced requirement for glaucoma medication and may sometimes allow cessation of all glaucoma medications. These devices have proven to be a safe addition to cataract surgery. Our surgeons are trained in the insertion of the I-Stent™ and Hydrus™ MIGS devices.
