There are two main types of glaucoma: open angle and angle closure.
The symptoms associated with glaucoma depend on its type and severity:
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition which is usually associated with a rise in the (intraocular) pressure within the eye. This can cause damage to the optic nerve reducing peripheral vision.
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What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a common eye condition which can affect people of all ages. It is however most common in adults in their 70s and 80s. It is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. In most cases glaucoma is caused by an increase in the intraocular pressure. Your eye pressure results from the balance between the rate at which aqueous fluid is produced within the eye and the rate at which it leaves through the drainage angle of the eye. Glaucoma generally develops slowly over many years, damaging the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain. Commonly the initial symptom of uncontrolled glaucoma is a painless loss of peripheral vision. It is essential to detect and treat raised intraocular to preserve optic nerve function. There are various types of glaucoma treatment.
Causes
Open angle glaucoma
There are usually no symptoms with open-angle glaucoma but the intraocular pressure is found to be raised during a routine eye test. Risk factors include family history of the condition, age, race, certain eye conditions and general health problems (eg diabetes, hypertension).
Angle closure glaucoma
Angle closure occurs when the eye’s drainage angle becomes blocked, causing the intraocular pressure to suddenly and painfully increase. Some people are born with narrow drainage angles and are predisposed to angle closure, others develop it as a result of cataract, trauma or surgery.
Symptoms
With angle closure the intraocular pressure can rise suddenly (acute angle closure) causing pain, red eye, halos, blurring of vision and nausea – this is an emergency and requires immediate treatment.
In open-angle glaucoma the intraocular pressure may increase very slowly with no associated pain.
The increasing pressure can damage the optic nerve affecting peripheral vision. Driving may become more difficult, only noticing hazards when they are in the centre of the field of vision.
The lack of obvious symptoms highlights the importance of you having regular eye checks, by optician or ophthalmologist, to detect increased intraocular pressure, reduced field of vision and narrow drainage angles.
Treatments
My Eye Clinic can provide glaucoma treatment to reduce your elevated intraocular pressures by:
Eye Drops
Either a single drop or a combination of drops
Tablets
Only occasionally used for short term therapy
Laser
Either YAG Laser Iridotomy or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Surgery
Cataract surgery alone, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), Trabeculectomy, Filtration (Tube) Surgery
Our Procedures for Glaucoma
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First class recommendation for My Eye Clinic and in particular Andrew Peel who was professional, knowledgeable very thorough. A pleasure to deal with!
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I recently had permanent lens procedure carried out by Mr Ghosh. Having glasses as a child and contact lenses for many years, this has been an absolute revelation for me. Mr Ghosh was absolutely brilliant and very professional from the start. All the staff are lovely and especially like to thank Dianne, Anita and the team. This has changed my life for the better thanks.
Beautiful clinic, really nice atmosphere, prompt service and really friendly and professional staff. Fernando was particularly great!I would definitely recommend.
Excellent care, all staff very courteous and helpful. YAG surgery clearly explained to me by Mr Morgan, who did a brilliant job. I'd highly recommend this clinic.
I visited the My Hearing Clinic knowing I needed a hearing assessment but thinking it was just a build up of wax. It came as a shock that I heard a hearing loss which needed addressing. The service I received from Andrew was outstanding! He explained my hearing loss and went through all my options. He recognised that it was a lot of information to take in so made a follow up appointment, giving me sufficient time to think about what I wanted to do. From start to finish the service has been excellent, efficient, professional and friendly from the moment you walk through the door and meet Lee. The clinic is well located, parking on site, high standard of cleanliness. Definitely a recommendation from me. Thank you!
Absolutely first class treatment and experience at this wonderful clinic. Staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly Mr Morgan the consultant was lovely explaining everything. I had YAG laser treatment painless no discomfort and almost immediate corrected vision. Thank you all so very very much.
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