November 17, 2021
The drops are a huge ally to control glaucoma; therefore, the ophthalmologist Paula Tenedório explains that patients should not abandon the treatment:
Yes, medical treatment is the initial and most frequent way of treating open angle glaucoma, with the application of specific medications in the form of antiglaucomatous eye drops that will reduce intraocular pressure. Generally, this treatment is used throughout the patient's life to stop the progression of the disease and prevent its main complication, which is blindness. Therefore, strict compliance with the treatment is very important.
Most drugs are safe but like all other drugs they can cause side effects such as red eye, itching, tearing, eye pain among others and in these cases the patient may be developing an intolerance to the medication.
It is important that in these situations the patient does not suspend treatment, but immediately consults their ophthalmologist, who will evaluate with the user the possibility of therapeutic changes, namely changing the eye drops or indicating other options such as laser treatment and glaucoma surgery.
The most common laser treatment is selective laser trabeculoplasty, which is a safe procedure that does not damage the eye, and as such, can be repeated if there is a clinical need or indication. It is performed in outpatient and ambulatory settings.
When all therapeutic options fail, namely those mentioned above - medical treatment and laser - then we have glaucoma surgery. In this regard, it is important for the patient to understand that surgery does not recover the lost vision or visual field. The aim is to prevent the disease from advancing and the appearance of serious complications.
The most well-known type of surgery is trabeculectomy, but we have many other options: non-penetrating deep sclerectomy, which is an effective and safe surgery; valve implantation or aqueous humour drainage devices, minimally invasive surgeries that may or may not be associated with cataract surgery - among many other options. aqueous humour drainage devices, minimally evasive surgeries that may or may not be associated with cataract surgery - among many other options.
It should be noted that having glaucoma surgery does not mean that the disease is cured, so it is necessary that the patient keeps regular appointments with their ophthalmologist.
Tomorrow we will understand what uveitis is.
With the support of the Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology.
