Glaucoma is a progressive eye condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to increased eye pressure. Early detection and treatment are your best bets if you’re looking to prevent vision loss due to glaucoma.
While medications and laser treatments are common, you may be referred to a glaucoma surgeon in Singapore if you’re dealing with an advanced case of glaucoma or if you have tried other treatments without success. From stories we’ve read and heard, visiting a glaucoma surgeon especially if it is your first time can be an intimidating step.
However, if you understand what to expect the process can be less overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll answer key questions about glaucoma treatment and surgery to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting a glaucoma surgeon. Let’s begin!
Can Glaucoma Be Fully Treated?
Currently, glaucoma cannot be fully cured. It requires lifelong management to preserve the remaining vision that it hasn’t damaged yet.
Ideally, with the right treatment, further vision loss can often be prevented or slowed down significantly. Glaucoma treatment focuses on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), which reduces stress on the optic nerve. This is achieved through:
- Medications which may include eye drops, such as prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers to decrease eye pressure.
- Laser therapy procedures like selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to improve fluid drainage in the eye and,
- Surgery which is reserved for more severe cases. Surgery creates new drainage pathways or reduces fluid production.
While these treatments are effective at preserving remaining vision, they cannot reverse damage already done. You will need to maintain regular check-ups with an eye specialist or your chosen glaucoma surgeon in Singapore to monitor disease progression.
When Should You Have Surgery for Glaucoma?
As you’ve seen, surgery for glaucoma is usually recommended when other treatments fail to control eye pressure effectively or when the disease progresses rapidly. It may also be necessary under the following circumstances:
- If medications and laser treatments fail to lower intraocular pressure sufficiently.
- If tests reveal worsening optic nerve damage despite treatment
- If you experience intolerable side effects, such as eye irritation or systemic effects, which make you unsuitable for long-term medication use.
- If you struggle to use eye drops consistently or cannot attend frequent laser sessions.
- If you’re dealing with an aggressive forms of glaucoma.
- And if you’re dealing with narrow-angle glaucoma emergencies. This is important because acute angle-closure glaucoma can be sight-threatening, and surgery is often needed immediately to relieve pressure.
If approved for glaucoma surgery, there are several surgical options that your glaucoma surgeon in Singapore may recommend depending on the severity and the type of glaucoma you’re dealing with. The most notable procedures for glaucoma are trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage implants and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
Trabeculectomy is a fairly common surgery that creates a new drainage channel to reduce eye pressure. For glaucoma drainage implants, tiny tubes are inserted to help drain excess fluid. MIGS are newer, less invasive techniques that are suitable for earlier stages of glaucoma.
What Happens if You Don’t Get Glaucoma Surgery?
To begin, please ensure you get glaucoma surgery immediately if recommended and approved for the procedure. We insist on immediate procedure as soon as it is recommended because delaying or avoiding glaucoma surgery in severe cases can have serious consequences. Below are some potential consequences of not getting glaucoma surgery when it is medically necessary;
- Progressive Vision Loss: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve over time. Without intervention, this can lead to permanent vision loss, starting with peripheral vision and advancing to total blindness.
- Increased Eye Pressure: High intraocular pressure can worsen over time. If not brought under control, it can lead to faster damage to the optic nerve. This is irreversible.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Let’s face it, loss of vision will surely and drastically affect your daily activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Over time, this can lead to loss of independence. You do not want to go through this ordeal.
What is it like at the Glaucoma Surgeon’s Clinic?
Visiting a glaucoma surgeon in Singapore isn’t as complex as it may seem. Here’s what you can typically expect when seeing a glaucoma surgeon in Singapore;
Before your surgery, you will undergo a thorough consultation and diagnostic tests. The surgeon will want to review your medical history to identify any conditions that could impact surgery or healing.
Based on that information, and the symptoms you’re getting, they may recommend diagnostic tests like visual field analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and tonometry to measure eye pressure and assess optic nerve health.
The surgeon will then explain the type of surgery recommended, potential risks, and expected outcomes. You are encouraged to ask about the procedure, recovery time, and follow-up care.
Preparing for surgery might include stopping certain medications or using prescribed eye drops to reduce inflammation. Most glaucoma surgeries are performed under local anesthesia.
So, you shouldn’t experience discomfort during the procedure. It is practically painless. During glaucoma surgery, you’ll receive numbing eye drops and sometimes a mild sedative to help you relax.
Depending on the surgery type, the surgeon will create new drainage pathways or insert implants to lower eye pressure. This process can take 30 to 90 minutes.
After the procedure, you’ll rest briefly while the surgeon monitors your condition. Patients are usually discharged on the same day. However, someone should accompany you as your vision may be blurry initially.
Post-operative care is crucial for a successful outcome. Expect regular check-up appointments to allow the surgeon to monitor healing and measure eye pressure.
You will also be prescribed drops reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Importantly, you will also be advised to avoid strenuous activities, bending, or heavy lifting during the recovery period to avoid potential complications that may impact the recovery.
Some patients may experience mild discomfort, redness, or tearing, but these symptoms usually subside within a few weeks. Full recovery typically takes four to six weeks.
In Closing
The bad thing with glaucoma is that it is a lifelong condition. On the positive side, timely treatment and surgery can help you preserve your vision and maintain a good quality of life.
Visiting a glaucoma surgeon in Singapore is a good step toward managing this condition. From pre-surgery evaluations to post-operative care, understand what to expect to ease concerns and ensure the best outcomes.
If you suspect glaucoma or have been advised to consider surgery, don’t wait. Book a consultation with a trusted glaucoma surgeon in Singapore today. Find a knowledgeable glaucoma surgeon in Singapore today below;
Chelvin Sng Eye Centre – Glaucoma | Cataract Surgery | Retina Specialist | Ophthalmologist Singapore
38 IRRAWADDY ROAD MT ELIZABETH NOVENA SPECIALIST CENTRE,
#06-25, Singapore 329563
+65 6334 2282