When your doctor tells you that you have glaucoma, the first fear that may come across you, is the fear of glaucoma laser surgery.
The eye is a highly sensitive organ that allows for the sense of sight. It is taken for granted most of the time, so that when something adversely affects it in any way, the resulting fear of blindness can make one go into a panic attack. The fear of the unknown is tremendous, and depression may set in. So thank goodness for the modern marvel of glaucoma laser surgery.
Glaucoma is an eye disease marked by increased pressure within the eyeball, resulting in damage to the optic disc, and gradual loss of vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. Unfortunately, symptoms may not exist, that you would take seriously, so ask your doctor to include a test for glaucoma, when you have your regular physical check-ups.
Being diagnosed with glaucoma is not the end of the world. Once you get educated on the facts, you will find that there are treatments that can improve your health. Glaucoma can be managed by simply taking oral medications, glaucoma laser surgery, or a combination of both. It is important that an early diagnosis be made, so as to prevent delay in treatment, as a delay may worsen your condition.
Glaucoma laser surgery – a miracle
Glaucoma laser surgery can help lower the pressure within the eyeball, by lowering the production of intraocular fluid.
The laser is used to make numerous burns on the surface of the eye, in an attempt to drain the excess fluid. These burns will create scars, that can increase the outflow of the fluid. One treatment may not be enough, and additional glaucoma laser surgery may be needed in the next couple of years.
This is not a continuous treatment, however, as more treatments lower the effectivity of lowering the eye pressure.
However successful glaucoma laser surgery may be, like any other, there are always risks involved. There can be a temporary increase in eye pressure, inflammation of the eye, and an increased risk in cataract development.
Recovery from glaucoma laser surgery
Recovery from glaucoma laser surgery is fairly easy and manageable. There will be the usual prescription of medications for relief, and antibiotics for prevention of infection.
The patient is usually advised from bending down, as this can cause pressure.
When taking a shower, the patient should not face the water coming down, and must instead turn around and allow the shower to hit the back or arms.
Prescription eye drops are administered daily, and must be complied with religiously.
It is imperative that all the doctor’s post surgery recovery instructions, are precisely followed. Glaucoma laser surgery is to be taken seriously, at every step of the way.