Glaucoma

Glaucoma, also known as “Green Star,” is a slowly progressing disease of the optic nerve. Most of the approximately 1.2 million optic nerve fibers responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain gradually and initially unnoticed die off.

Glaucoma is a chronic and progressive disease. Therefore, it generally cannot be cured. However, in most patients, the progression can be slowed down through medications, surgeries, or modern, less invasive laser treatments, preventing significant vision loss.

Today’s modern laser procedures and surgical techniques, combined with thorough aftercare, allow for very good success rates. In the long term, the intraocular pressure can be normalized under good conditions in about 9 out of 10 patients, and the progression of glaucoma can be slowed down or prevented.

After the operation, you should wear a protective shield over the eye at night for the first few days. Also, avoid rubbing the eye. The healing process will be monitored by our specialists during follow-up appointments.

To support the healing process, the eye should be treated with eye drops for about 2 months. To ensure a smooth recovery, our specialists monitor the progress through several follow-up appointments and, together with you, determine any necessary measures.

Glaucoma manifests itself in that certain areas of the visual field are only partially or no longer perceived at all. Unfortunately, those affected often only notice these vision losses at a late stage, when irreversible damage to the optic nerve has already occurred. Therefore, regular preventive check-ups with a specialist are especially important, particularly if there is a family history of glaucoma.

In the vast majority of cases, glaucoma is caused by increased intraocular pressure. In the chamber of the eye between the lens and the cornea, there is a fluid called aqueous humor, which is produced inside the eye. The continuous flow of this aqueous humor from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber and then out through a fine drainage canal called Schlemm’s canal creates a constant pressure inside the eye, which averages about 15-16 mmHg. For comparison, normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg.

If the outflow of aqueous humor is blocked, the fluid builds up, causing the eye pressure to rise. Another, less common cause of glaucoma can be poor blood supply to the optic nerve (in such cases, eye pressure is often normal). However, the exact trigger for glaucoma cannot always be identified, as not all causes of the disease are yet known.