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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

Risk of glaucoma

Written by Administrator
Monday, 12 April 2004
Risk of developing glaucoma: assessment to determine risk is advised. The risk of developing glaucoma is affected by a variety of factors. If your optometrist has identified you as being at risk, an evaluation by an Ophthalmologist may be recommended to determine your chance of conversion to glaucoma. Glaucoma may be prevented with treatment, however not everybody is treated as occasionally glaucoma drops have side-effects. Therefore, if the risk of developing glaucoma is very low (for example, less than 5% risk in 5 years), then no treatment would be offered. The following risks factors for glaucoma are listed: * family history of glaucoma * diabetes * migraine * short sightedness (also known as myopia) * eye injuries * blood pressure * past or present use of cortisone drugs (corticosteroids, eg steroid inhalers, steroid tablets such as prednisolone, steroid creams including chinese herbal creams).
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 November 2007 )

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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.