THERAPIES, TREATMENTS AND SURGERY OF GLAUCOMA 

Glaucoma is an ophthalmic disease caused by the variation of endocular pressure due to obstruction of the outflow of the endocular fluids with progressive damage to the nerve fibers of the optic nerve.

The most frequent form and insidious is the primary open-angle glaucoma that develops gradually without giving signs of alarm. In absence of specific therapy we witness a progressive excavation of the optic papilla, the structure that suffers the most from compression due to increased intraocular pressure, with a reduction of the visual field all the way up to blindness. 

Drug therapy is aimed at reducing endocular tension by improving outflow of endocular liquids, a reduction in their production or both. These goals are reached through topical treatment, with medicated or systemic eye drops. 

In special cases, parachirurgical and / or surgical treatments (photo) are used, which aim to create artificial pathways of outflow of aqueous humor inside or outside (trabeculectomy, outflow valve system, etc.). 

In an outpatient setting the laser Yag is used which pierces the iris with the emission of high non-thermal energies (iridectomy yag (photo)), during a quick and painless procedure preceded by anesthetic eye drops. 

With another type of laser (Argon Laser Iridex yellow light) it is possible to perform the MLT treatment (MicroPulse laser trabeculoplasty (photo)) which allows the endocular pressure to be lowered, in some cases, without damaging the eye structures. 

The latest news on glaucoma is the treatment with a new infrared laser (Cycle G6 – Iridex) which, through a probe placed on the white part of the eye (sclera) it is able to hit the ciliary processes (without destroying them) and reduce the production of aqueous humor and, consequently, the eye pressure.