Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that results in damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye.
In most people the optic nerve damage occurs because there is increased pressure inside the eye, usually as a result of impaired circulation and drainage of eye fluid called aqueous.
Glaucoma usually causes no pain or discomfort and significant side vision can be lost without a person noticing. The risk of developing glaucoma increases if you are over 50 years of age and if there is a family history of the disease.
This disease is usually treatable with eye drops which are used every day over a patient’s lifetime. Sometimes drops are not sufficient and surgery needs to be performed to cause pressure reduction. These surgeries include trabeculectomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, molteno valve surgery and cyclodiode.