Glaucoma is a chronic deterioration of the optic nerve that progressively worsens and can cause blindness. In fact, glaucoma is the cause of 9% to 12% of cases of blindness in the United States. It’s also the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Glaucoma is typically caused by applied pressure on the optic nerve, or intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma treatment requires that an eye surgeon lower the patient’s IOP, although early glaucoma treatment options involve medications and laser techniques.
Glaucoma surgery is the final option for patients who have been unable to lower their IOP with other options.
Glaucoma surgery benefits and risks
As with any type of surgery, glaucoma surgery does come with risks that you can talk to your ophthalmologist about. However, it’s worth noting that glaucoma surgery is performed as a final option and it’s very successful at reducing IOP.
It’s also worth noting that glaucoma surgery is conducted to prevent further vision loss from happening. The vision loss that occurs due to glaucoma can’t be reversed and is considered permanent. Without proper treatment, vision loss from glaucoma is certain.
The glaucoma surgery benefits also significantly outweigh the risks. Risks of glaucoma surgery include infection, short-term vision loss, bleeding, and eye pressure that’s too low called hypotony.
Eye surgeons and doctors take great care to maintain sterile environments to prevent infection. Low eye pressure and short-term vision loss are temporary and your vision will return to normal.
It’s important to talk to your ophthalmologist prior to your surgery if you’re on blood thinners or other medications that could put you at risk for internal bleeding inside the eye because this can be a serious complication.
Remember that glaucoma surgery is a beneficial procedure
It’s important to understand the risks involved in glaucoma surgery, but it’s also important to recognize that these risks are rare that the surgery is a beneficial procedure overall.
Without proper treatment, you could be facing permanent vision loss. Glaucoma surgery helps to significantly slow the progression of your glaucoma and relieve the pressure inside your eye.
Where can I learn more about glaucoma surgery benefits?
If you have questions about glaucoma surgery, cataract treatments, LASIK eye surgery, or another type of vision correction procedure, Missouri Eye is the place for you. Contact Missouri Eye today for more information on glaucoma treatment options or to schedule an appointment.