What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the fluid pressure within your eye becomes too high, damaging the delicate fibres of the optic nerve, which carries visual impulses from your eye to the brain. This damage is irreversible and, if left untreated, can result in blindness. Therefore, early detection and intervention through medication, laser treatment, or glaucoma surgery in Singapore is the key to preventing adverse effects on your vision. Glaucoma accounts for approximately 40 percent of blindness in Singapore.

What Causes Glaucoma?

The imbalance of fluid production and drainage within the eye resulting in excessive intraocular pressure is identified as the main cause of glaucoma. There are several types of glaucoma, and some of them include:

  • Primary Open-angle Glaucoma accounts for the majority of the cases. It affects the elderly and those who are middle-aged. This condition progresses slowly and painlessly, so you may not notice that your vision is deteriorating. Your peripheral and night vision will deteriorate before your central reading vision is affected.
  • Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma is a condition that typically affects elderly and middle-aged women of Chinese origin in Singapore. The onset of this form of glaucoma is sudden, with fluid pressure rising rapidly and dramatically in the eye. This results in eye pain and redness, headaches, and nausea. Other accompanying symptoms include blurred vision and seeing coloured rings around lights.
  • Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma is a condition that progresses gradually and often goes unnoticed for a long time. It is caused by the progressive blockage of drainage channels in the eye, causing a slow, prolonged rise in eye pressure.
  • Secondary Glaucoma can be caused by inflammation in the eye or when a cataract becomes too advanced and swollen. Tumours, injuries, and surgery may also cause secondary glaucoma.

How Do I Know If I Have Glaucoma?

As the disease develops slowly, you may not become aware of any vision loss until the condition worsens and your vision is severely impaired. Annual eye checkups with a qualified ophthalmologist can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. However, once a patient develops glaucoma, there is progressive optic nerve damage from the loss of healthy nerve fibres leading to gradual loss of the visual field. The patient will experience this as a ‘tunnelling’ of vision or constriction of the field of vision.

What Puts Me at Risk of Glaucoma?

    • Age:  In Singapore, glaucoma affects around 3 % of those over 50 and the risk increases with age. The percentage of those affected over 70 is 10%.
    • Chronic diseases: You are at an increased risk of certain types of glaucoma if you have diabetes and high blood pressure.
    • Ethnicity: Asians and Afro-Caribbeans are more susceptible to certain types of glaucoma than Caucasians.
    • Eye injuries
    • Extreme nearsightedness or shortsightedness
    • A family history of glaucoma
    • The use of steroids

What Can I Do to Prevent Glaucoma?

Most risk factors for glaucoma, such as age, hereditary risk, and race, cannot be prevented. This means good eye health and regular eye examinations are important to detect the problem early. If you have a family history of glaucoma or are taking medications that increase your risk, it is essential to undergo regular eye examinations. Early diagnosis is the key to preventing blindness, as glaucoma nerve damage is irreversible.

WHAT KIND OF TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR GLAUCOMA?

Most cases of glaucoma can be successfully controlled, even though they cannot be cured. The treatment for glaucoma is determined by the type of glaucoma you are diagnosed with. It may be in the form of,

  • Medication: Prescription eye drops are the most common treatment. They help lower the pressure in your eye, preventing any further damage to your optic nerve.
  • Laser Therapy: Laser treatment can help treat some types of glaucoma. Performed by a qualified ophthalmologist, this procedure helps drain the extra fluid in your eye(s), which can help lower the pressure inside your eye.

If glaucoma medicines and laser treatment haven’t helped treat your glaucoma, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Types of Glaucoma Surgery in Singapore 

There are a few different types of glaucoma surgery in Singapore, and they all can help lower the pressure in your eye, preventing further damage to the optic nerve.

Trabeculectomy: Widely used to treat open-angle glaucoma.

Glaucoma Implant Surgery: This glaucoma eye surgery can treat different types of glaucoma. Speak to your ophthalmologist to learn more about what types this glaucoma  surgery in Singapore can treat.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): If you have mild glaucoma, your doctor may recommend that you consider this glaucoma eye surgery procedure. Speak to your specialist to see whether MIGS may be an option for you.

When diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes, the doctor will perform glaucoma surgery in one eye at a time.

GLAUCOMA  EYE SURGERY AND TREATMENTS AT  ADVANCED EYE CLINIC & SURGERY

At Advanced Eye Clinic & Surgery, our qualified ophthalmologists are here to ensure that you receive the highest standard of care for the treatment and management of glaucoma. Whether you have been recently diagnosed with glaucoma or are seeking to explore novel treatment options, we are here to help. Remember, early detection and treatment are key to managing this condition effectively. Schedule your appointment with us today and take the first step towards protecting your eyesight.