Detection and Diagnosis
- Early diagnosis can be made by the ophthalmologist in the course of periodic eye examination.
- In our center every patient over 40 years of age is subjected to non contact tonometry to measure the eye pressure.
- A fundus examination is done to examine the back of your eye to see if your optic nerve is healthy and no damage is occurring.
- An automated visual field test is done to see for the shrinkage of the side vision or blind spots. We have a Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer Which is very sensitive to early field changes in glaucoma.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Analysis (RNFL) with a OCT helps to detect glaucoma damage at a much earlier stage.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Mirchia centre we are equipped with one of the latest to verier OPTOVUE OCT
- It reveals the layers of the retina in a high-resolution, cross-sectional view, giving the practitioner far more information than topographic technologies.
- OCT has opened new vistas in precise early diagnosis and treatment of Glaucoma.
- Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Analysis, Macular thickness Analysis, Optic Nerve Head Analysis is done to detect Glaucoma damage at an earlier stage.
Loss of vision is largely preventable
- If you are over age of 40, you should have your eyes checked for glaucoma every 2 to 4 years.
- If you have a family history of glaucoma or are a diabetic or use minus (-) numbers, then every year a check up is a must.
- When diagnosed promptly, eye pressure can be brought under control and future glaucoma attacks can be prevented.
- As a rule damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. So patients with any type of glaucoma need very periodic examination.
Management
- Medication
- Glaucoma is usually controlled with eye drops given in various combinations.
- To be effective, these medications must be taken regularly and continuously.
- Medication should never be stopped without consulting your doctor.
- Laser in Glaucoma
- In some cases, almost painless surgery without incision can be done with a laser beam.
- Argon Laser trabeculoplasty may be successful in patients with open angle glaucoma.
- In angle closure glaucoma a hole is made with the help of Laser (Irodotomy) to create an alternate drainage passage.
- Surgery
- If medications are poorly tolerated or not effective in controlling glaucoma, surgery may become necessary. An alternate drainage canal is made in the eye for the aqueous outflow (Filtration Surgery).
- You may still have to use medication for glaucoma after the surgery if the pressures are not within the target range.
Complications of Surgery
- Complications such as cataract or infection may occur.
- Fortunately, serious complications of modern glaucoma surgery are rare.
In most cases, recommended surgery is safer then permitting continuing loss of the optic nerve from glaucoma.
