SLT laser
SLT laser is a form of "cold laser" that does not burn the trabecular meshwork - rather it stimulates it to enhance drainage of fluid out of the eye. The results are modestly impressive - 5 year results indicate a 20-30% drop in eye pressure. It is a treatment that can be repeated, and surgery to control pressure can be delayed or postponed indefinitely as a result.Latest items
Glaucoma news
Memantine is a new drug for glaucoma, that has undergone extensive trials to establish its effectiveness. Disappointingly, it has not demonstrated the benefits expected, and plans to release this medication in the UK are therefore on hold.News
| What is glaucoma? |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Wednesday, 12 May 2004 | |
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What is the definition of glaucoma? Glaucoma is a name for a group of conditions that without treatment leads to progressive damage to the optic nerve; in turn this can lead to visual field loss.Further information about glaucoma: treatment prevents loss of vision If left untreated, this can lead to loss of peripheral vision (i.e. what can be seen at the sides of the visual field, rather than in the centre). In older people, glaucoma is one of the commonest causes of preventable blindness. If glaucoma progresses, it can affect all peripheral vision, then impair central vision, and -- very rarely -- may lead to very significant visual impairment. Treatments for glaucoma are aimed at bringing down the pressure in the eye to a level that is low enough to prevent harm to the optic nerve. Once the optic nerve is affected by glaucoma, lowering the pressure in the eye prevents further damage to the nerve. Damage already done to the optic nerve cannot be reversed. Screening for glaucoma is important from around age 40, every two years at least, unless you are in a higher risk group (eg Afro-caribbean race, or very strong family history of glaucoma). |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 ) |
