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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.

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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.

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Normal pressure glaucoma

Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 07 November 2007
Normal pressure glaucoma is an optic neuropathy associated with normal intraocular pressures (ie less than 22 mmHg). A proportion of these patients are found to have thin corneas. Normal pressure glaucoma can be successfully treated. The key to management is regular follow up and careful monitoring. Most patients only progress very slowly and treatment limits this greatly. A few patients progress relatively quickly despite treatment with drops and these patients may require surgery. "Phasing" (ie measuring eye pressure throughout the day) is performed to gain a better understanding of how IOP changes during the day (diurnal variation).
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 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

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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

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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.