Glaucoma Treatment

Symptoms

What is Glaucoma?

Dr Kumar is passionate about helping to diagnose and provide optimal glaucoma treatment in Sydney. His many qualifications, skills and knowledge make him a leader amongst city eye surgeons.

Glaucoma refers to a range of conditions that impact the optic nerve, with subsequent loss of visual field and is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Glaucoma is referred to as “the sneak thief of sight”. Over time, a patient has a steady decline in their visual acuity without really noticing.

This is because the optic nerves connect the eyes to the brain and this bundle of nerves is what carries visual images to your brain. With glaucoma, nerve fibres are lost, resulting in cupping or excavation of the central part of the optic nerve and causing a loss of peripheral vision (side vision).

There are different types of Glaucoma:

Open-angle Glaucoma or primary glaucoma. In this particular type, the angle between your cornea and iris is open and wide
Closed-angle Glaucoma where your iris and cornea have such a narrow-angle where they come into contact, resulting in a blockage of your eye’s drainage system
Congenital Glaucoma is caused by improper development of the drainage channel in your eyes before birth. This type is hereditary and occurs before the age of 2 years

What are the signs and symptoms of Glaucoma?

Signs and symptoms of Glaucoma may include:

Blurred vision
Loss of peripheral vision (side vision)
Haloes effect around lights
Painful or reddened eyes
Headaches (more common in acute closed-angle or severe conditions)
Sore eyes
Cloudy eyes

The following risk factors may contribute to patients who develop glaucoma:

Over 40 years of age
Diabetic
Family history
Other eye conditions or injuries
Hyperopia
Myopia
Elevated eye pressure

Dr Kumar uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to test your visual acuity and visual field, as well as your eye pressure. He will monitor you through regular eye examinations to map any changes in your eyesight and determine your risk of developing glaucoma.

What are the treatments for Glaucoma?

Once diagnosed, your condition can be managed and further vision loss prevented with treatments to reduce intraocular pressure.

Management of glaucoma includes non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops and medications or laser treatment and surgery.

Glaucoma Laser Surgery

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses a laser beam to help relieve the high pressure in your eyes and is most effective in treating open-angle glaucoma
Laser Iridotomy is used in closed-angle glaucoma. A laser creates a small hole through your iris to act as a new drainage channel for eye fluid and help lower eye pressure
Laser cyclo-ablation is reserved for severe glaucoma. This laser treatment destroys the parts of the eye that produces eye fluid to decrease the amount of fluid. This procedure aims to reduce intraocular pressure

Penetrating Filtration Surgery

Trabeculectomy is a surgical treatment where an opening in the sclera, or white of your eye, is created and parts of the trabecular meshwork are removed
An Ex-Press shunt is a stainless steel device inserted into your eye to allow eye fluid to drain freely. This therapy decreases the pressure in your eye, bringing it back to within the normal range

Non-penetrating Filtration Surgery

This group of surgical techniques are only performed in open-angle.

Deep sclerectomy is similar to trabeculectomy surgery; however, the trabecular meshwork remains intact
Viscocanalostomy uses a clear jelly-like substance called viscoelastic to dilate a drainage canal in your eye to improve fluid flow
Canaloplasty uses a fine suture to open the Schlemm’s canal and aid fluid drainage from your eye

Microincisional Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

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“MIGS” refers to a group of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery procedures, most commonly performed during cataract surgery.

MIGS helps to lower intraocular pressure through the use of microscopic devices implanted into your eyes. This particular method is recommended for people with mild to moderate glaucoma.

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Which treatment is best for you?

What treatment is best will depend on what type of glaucoma you have and the severity of your condition.

Dr Kumar will perform a comprehensive assessment and examination of your eyes and intraocular pressure. He will use your medical history, examination results and diagnosis to formulate an appropriate treatment plan to help lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage.

Concerned About Your Vision?
We can help.

Why choose Vision Clinic Sydney
for Glaucoma treatment?

Our state-of-the-art equipment, beautiful clinic and friendly staff make you feel comfortable, welcome and listened to.

Dr Kumar is a highly skilled glaucoma specialist who is here to help you achieve optimum vision! He will tailor a glaucoma management plan that is specific to your needs using the best tools of the trade and a thorough assessment.

Meet Dr Kumar

After graduating from Medicine at the Univerisity of Newcastle in 1998, it wasn’t long before Dr Nikhil Kumar found his passion for ophthalmology. In 2008 he completed ophthalmology speciality training at the Sydney Eye Hospital and fellowship training in cornea and laser correction in 2009 at the University of Toronto.

Dr Kumar’s fascination with eyes and extensive training made him the leading eye specialist to see in Sydney.

What is the cost in Sydney?

The cost of treatment for glaucoma will depend on what treatment you need.

Dr Kumar and the team at Vision Clinic Sydney will tailor a treatment plan specific to you, your needs and your disease progression. They will then provide you with the cost and options for payment plans.

FAQs

Can Glaucoma cause headaches?

Glaucoma can cause headaches. It is most common in the closed-angle type as this causes blockage in your eye drainage system and pressure to build.

Can Glaucoma cause blindness?

Yes, it can cause blindness. The optic nerve is damaged by high intraocular pressure. Whilst initially, the disease may present as slightly blurred vision, as your condition progresses, you develop blind spots.

Can Glaucoma be cured with eye drops?

Eye drops can help by lowering eye pressure and protecting your optic nerve. But paired with regular eye examinations and follow-ups with your specialist, you can treat but not cure your condition.

Can it be prevented or reversed?

Glaucoma cannot be prevented, and once the damage has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

Which Glaucoma is worse?

The type of glaucoma that is worse is the close-angled type. It can occur rapidly and cause irreversible damage within hours of symptom onset.

Will Glaucoma affect both eyes?

It usually affects both eyes; however, pressure often rises in one eye first.

Concerned About Your Vision?

Our friendly staff can talk to you about your vision issues and arrange the best course of action for diagnosis and treatment. Take advantage of our vision assessment to see how we can make it happen for you.

Glaucoma Treatment

What is Glaucoma?

What are the signs and symptoms of Glaucoma?