Glaucoma is an eye disease that slowly destroys the optic nerve (located in the back of the eye). This normally happens due to an increased amount of pressure inside of the eye or from poor blood circulation to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can also occur if there are problems with the structure of the optic nerve. Fortunately, glaucoma can be treated and controlled if detected early. One treatment method is surgery. However, before you decide to have glaucoma surgery, you should carefully weigh out the risks.
Instructions
Schedule an appointment with an eye care provider. In order to learn about glaucoma surgery, you should visit an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnosis and treats all eye disorders and diseases and she also performs surgeries on the eyes. The ophthalmologist can provide you with helpful information about glaucoma surgery and answer all of your questions.
Go to your appointment and meet with the ophthalmologist. The doctor begins by asking you about your symptoms, current health status, medical history, medications you’re taking, previous surgeries and other vision or eye disorders you may have. He must also examine your eyes in order to evaluate the condition of the glaucoma and optic nerve.
Discuss the different types of surgical procedures with the doctor. There are several different types of glaucoma surgeries such as laser trabeculoplasty laser (quick, painless & relatively safe method, but results only last for 2 years), laser iridology, laser cyclophotocoagulation (relatively low risk and high success rate), trabeculectomy (most commonly performed and most effective), aqueous shunt surgery (glaucoma implants or tubes) and viscocanalostomy (less invasive than trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt surgery, but less effective).
Inquire about the risks involved with the surgical procedures. The most common risks for glaucoma surgery includes you having a higher chance of getting cataracts, infection or leaking of the incision, adverse reactions to anesthesia, droopy eyelid, double vision, loss of vision, swelling in the retina, bleeding, fluid under the retina, retinal detachment and loss of the eye.
Select the appropriate surgery. Your doctor helps you select the best surgical treatment method based on the severity of your glaucoma. She informs you how to prepare for the surgery and when to return to his office for the actual procedure. Certain surgical treatment methods require more than one office visit.