Glaucoma blog

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

Summary of all glaucoma articles

Driving and glaucoma

Written by Administrator
Friday, 09 November 2007
Those with glaucoma must inform the DVLA found at Drivers Medical Branch, Swansea, SA99 1TU. The DVLA arrange a field test, and they are legally responsible for deciding if the patient is able to drive.
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )

Driving requirements / glaucoma

Written by Administrator
Friday, 09 November 2007
The field of vision should be 120 degrees wide on the horizontal plane, using a 3mm test object. In addition there should be no significant defect in the binocular field which encroaches within 20 degrees of fixation.
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )

What if I have glaucoma?

Written by Administrator
Friday, 09 November 2007
Do not panic! There is a lot of support for you available. One UK charity, the IGA (www.glaucoma-association.com), provides useful support in this regard. Glaucoma can cause loss of vision but this is much less common nowadays with regular monitoring and careful examinations. If you have glaucoma, drops are usually enough to keep the condition stable. It is inconvenient to some to have to put in drops but it is very important to remember to take your treatment as prescribed. Eye drops are usually continued lifelong. After glaucoma surgery however, glaucoma drops are often discontinued.
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )

How to use your eye drops

Written by Administrator
Friday, 09 November 2007
The key to using drops is first remembering to take them! Younger men seems especially forgetful about taking drops. One useful tip here is to have drops arranged on a special table beside the bed - if its the last thing you do before you go to bed, there will be a visual reminder. After taking drops, to minimise side effects, puntal occlusion can be performed. This needs to be explained by the glaucoma nurse or doctor. Otherwise, gently closing the lid for 1 minute can reduce general side effects to some degree.
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )

Laser treatment for glaucoma

Written by Administrator
Friday, 09 November 2007
Laser treatment is performed to prevent angle closure (YAG iridotomy) or to lower eye pressure (eg selective laser trabeculoplasty - SLT). SLT is a promising new treatment used to lower IOP. It is potentially a repeatable procedure.
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )

Trabeculectomy leaflet

Written by Administrator
Thursday, 08 November 2007
Trabeculectomy (Glaucoma surgery) Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions which cause damage to the optic nerve. The normal fluid within the eye is unable to drain away properly which leads to a build up of pressure within the eye. The pressure is usually treated with eye drops. If the eye drops do not reduce pressure, damage to the optic nerve may cause permanent loss of sight. To lower the eye pressure a surgical procedure known as a trabeculectomy is performed.
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Medication

Medications for glaucoma

Glaucoma medications are constantly improving and new agents combine prosta drugs and beta blockers. This improves 'compliance' ie how well the medication is taken, as many patients forget to take drops.

Iridotomy

Latest news

Laser iridotomy is performed to reduce the risk of or to treat primary angle closure ("narrow angle glaucoma"). This type of glaucoma can be associated with longsightedness, and may run in the family, as with other types of glaucoma. Iridotomy is a safe procedure, and prevent angle closure in most cases, but does not eliminate the risk. Sometimes cataract surgery is preferred as a primary option.

Types

Appointments

There are over a hundred types of glaucoma. Most commonly, in the UK, patients have Primary Open Angle Glaucoma ("POAG"). Most types of glaucoma are treated the same. Some variants progress at different rates, but most types progress slowly but surely (ie lead to visual field loss) without treatment. Another common type is Normal Pressure Glaucoma. This tends to be more slowly progressive. Secondary glaucomas are rare (less than 5%), as is congenital glaucoma.