Glaucoma Surgery Hospital in Delhi

Indications for Glaucoma Surgery

• Inadequate Control with Medications: When eye drops or oral medications fail to sufficiently lower intraocular pressure (IOP).
• Progression of Visual Field Loss: Evidence of worsening optic nerve damage despite treatment.
• Desire to Reduce Dependency on Medications: Some patients prefer surgery to decrease the need for daily medication use.

Types of Glaucoma Surgery

 

• Trabeculectomy:
  • Procedure: Surgically creating a new drainage channel (filtration bleb) to allow aqueous humor (fluid inside the eye) to drain, reducing IOP.
  • Indication: Often used when medications and laser treatments do not sufficiently control IOP.
  • Postoperative Care: Requires close monitoring to ensure the bleb functions properly and to prevent complications such as infection or scarring.
• Glaucoma Drainage Devices (GDD):
  • Procedure: Implanting a small tube (shunt) in the eye to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to a reservoir (plate) beneath the conjunctiva.
  • Indication: Used when trabeculectomy is not feasible or has failed, or in certain types of glaucoma where aqueous outflow needs to be managed differently.
  • Postoperative Care: Regular follow-up is necessary to monitor for proper functioning and complications, similar to trabeculectomy.
• Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS):
  • Types: Includes procedures like trabecular micro-bypass stents, suprachoroidal shunts, and canaloplasty.
  • Procedure: Less invasive than traditional surgeries, typically performed alongside cataract surgery to lower IOP.
  • Indication: Suitable for mild to moderate glaucoma cases where reduction in IOP is desired with fewer complications and faster recovery compared to traditional surgeries.
• Laser Procedures:
  • Types: Laser trabeculoplasty (SLT or ALT) and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI).
  • Procedure: Uses laser energy to enhance aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork or to create an opening in the iris to improve fluid flow.
  • Indication: Initial treatment for some types of glaucoma or as adjunctive therapy to lower IOP.

Recovery and Complications

• Recovery: Varies depending on the type of surgery but generally involves postoperative care, such as using medications to prevent infection and inflammation.
• Complications: Potential risks include infection, bleeding, cataract formation (in some cases), and hypotony (too low IOP).

Results

• IOP Reduction: Successful surgeries typically result in lower IOP, helping to slow or halt the progression of glaucoma.
• Visual Field Preservation: By lowering IOP, surgery aims to preserve the patient’s visual field and prevent further optic nerve damage.
• Medication Reduction: Successful surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for glaucoma medications.

Glaucoma surgery is tailored to each patient’s specific condition and needs. Individuals diagnosed with glaucoma should discuss treatment options thoroughly with their ophthalmologist to determine the most appropriate course of action for effectively managing their condition.