Glaucoma
There are many types of glaucoma but this discussion concentrates on the most common type, Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.
The
eyeball is a bit like a small ball full of liquid. This liquid is
continuously being produced inside the eye and at the same time the
fluid drains away, while maintaining a certain amount of pressure to
keep the eyeball "inflated" with fluid.
The optic nerve damage
that occurs in glaucoma is related to the fluid pressure inside the eye
(which has nothing to do with blood pressure). In most cases the eye
pressure is higher than the upper limit of normal (20mmHg) but in some
cases optic nerve damage occurs even if the pressure inside the eye is
within normal levels.
Treatment for glaucoma involves lowering
the pressure inside the eye. The aim of lowering the eye pressure is to
stop, or at least slow down the damage of the optic nerve and maintain vision. In some
cases, apparent cessation of optic nerve damage occurs while in others
even with the most aggressive treatment, the worsening is only slowed
down. Eye pressure control can often be achieved with a single type of
eye drop or a combination of eye drops. When the pressure control using
eye drops is not enough to control the eye pressure, an operation may be considered, which creates a new pathway for the fluid inside the eye to
drain. A special medication called Mitomycin, also used in
treating some forms of cancer, is used at the time of the operation
to slow down the scarring process of the eye and reduce the risk of
allowing the body to "repair" the new drainage pathway and cause the
operation to fail.
Note: Dr Aristodemou has the clinical experience and equipment to assess, monitor and treat glaucoma. Before his subspeciality training in retinal disease, he has had considerable experience in managing
glaucoma.
Nevertheless, Dr Aristodemou is not a glaucoma expert.
