Must glaucoma undergo surgery?

Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by pathological increase in intraocular pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve and visual field defects. The treatment for glaucoma can include conservative management and surgical interventions. The primary goal of treatment is to control intraocular pressure and delay the progression of optic nerve damage. Generally, intraocular pressure can be controlled with medication; if medication fails to control the pressure, surgery may be necessary to manage it.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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How to deal with vomiting in glaucoma?

Nausea and vomiting caused by glaucoma should be actively treated with pressure reduction. Antihypertensive eye drops include Timolol eye drops, Brinzolamide eye drops, and Pilocarpine eye drops. If the effect is not satisfactory, oral administration can also be considered. Common oral medications include Acetazolamide, and systemic use of Mannitol. If necessary, anterior chamber paracentesis can be performed. This series of active treatments can completely control intraocular pressure and relieve symptoms. Eye symptoms mainly include redness, swelling, pain, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, vision decline, headache, nausea, and vomiting. (Please follow the doctor's orders when using medication.)

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Glaucoma Precautions

Once glaucoma is confirmed, active treatment is necessary, such as medication or surgery. In daily life, the following points should be noted: First, do not stay in dark environments for a long time. Second, avoid excessive use of eyes and ensure to rest. Third, try to avoid drinking strong tea or coffee and do not drink a large amount of water at once. Fourth, avoid using drugs that can trigger glaucoma attacks, such as antispasmodics and antidepressants.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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What happens if glaucoma worsens?

Glaucoma, if left untreated or improperly treated leading to worsening, can result in blindness, which is referred to as absolute glaucoma. In such cases, it becomes impossible to recover vision; in other words, it is irreversible. Therefore, it is crucial to proactively treat glaucoma after its onset by reducing eye pressure to protect vision, adjusting one's mindset, resting adequately, and avoiding close-range activities. The treatment is generally quite successful nowadays. Glaucoma can be classified into acute angle-closure glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma, both of which are types of primary glaucoma. Additionally, it can be categorized into primary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and mixed glaucoma. With active treatment, the outcomes for glaucoma are generally good.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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The difference between open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma

Primary angle-closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma caused by the peripheral iris blocking the trabecular meshwork, or permanently adhering to the trabecular meshwork, obstructing the outflow of aqueous humor, leading to increased intraocular pressure. It is characterized by a narrow angle and the anatomical feature of the peripheral iris being prone to contact with the trabecular meshwork. Gonioscopy confirming angle closure is an important diagnostic criterion. The characteristic of open-angle glaucoma, however, is that even though intraocular pressure is elevated, the angle remains open, with the obstruction of aqueous outflow occurring at the trabecular meshwork system.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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What are the symptoms of a glaucoma attack?

Typical acute angle-closure glaucoma has several different clinical stages, divided into the preclinical stage, prodromal stage, acute attack stage, intermittent stage, chronic stage, and absolute stage. The acute attack stage is mainly characterized by severe headache, eye pain, photophobia, tearing, and significant deterioration of vision, often reduced to counting fingers or hand motion, and may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Physical signs include eyelid edema, mixed congestion, corneal epithelial edema, and the appearance of small droplets under the slit lamp. Patients may complain of rainbow vision, which primarily occurs due to the large number of small vesicles in the swollen corneal epithelium and the spaces between epithelial cells.