Do you have glaucoma and live in the Triangle NC? The fear of losing your eyesight can be very scary. And going into surgery to fix it can be disconcerting. Let’s look at what Glaucoma is and what to expect.
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve and this can lead to irreversible vision loss.
It is not uncommon and is the second leading cause of blindness. Sometimes, glaucoma is associated with elevated pressure in the eye. Although surgery cannot reverse vision loss, it can reduce that pressure.
Here’s what to expect from your glaucoma surgery:
Type
Dr. Friedland or Dr. Daluvoy will recommend either laser surgery or conventional surgery, depending on the type and severity of your glaucoma. In both cases, the goal is to allow intraocular fluid to escape the clogged drainage canals.
Laser Surgery – In this procedure, doctors focus a laser to make a small opening in the eye’s drainage system, called the trabecular meshwork.
Conventional Surgery – In this method, called trabeculectomy, doctors create a drainage hole using a small tool. This may be done if laser surgery is not effective. This surgery can be done multiple times without harm.
Expectations
You don’t have to stay in the hospital after most glaucoma surgeries. Our Park Ophthalmology doctors perform most of the surgeries in the office. In more critical cases, surgeries can be performed in an area Triangle hospital.
When you are finished, we’ll apply antibiotics to the eye and cover the eye. You’ll also come home with a hard covering, or eye shield, to protect the eye.
You’ll need to wear this eye shield each night for up to a month. For the next several weeks, you’ll also need to avoid any activity that jars the eye, such as bending, lifting or straining.
Follow Up
The day after surgery, you’ll come in for a checkup. Otherwise, it will take a little time for get back to normal; we’ll be sure to let you know when you can stop wearing the eye shield.
Most people experience some mild discomfort after a trabeculectomy, but severe pain may be a sign of complications. If you have severe pain, call us immediately.
Surgery can almost feel as scary as losing your eyesight, but don’t be afraid to ask any questions. With preparation and a little knowledge, the process will feel much easier. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (http://www.glaucoma.org), it is estimated that over 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it. Come see us for a checkup and that sense of assurance that comes with knowing. We are here to help.
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This article about the benefits of eye care is brought to you by the professional team at Park Ophthalmology located in the Triangle Region of North Carolina.
The information contained in this blog article is intended solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be offered as medical advice.
Photo Credit: photo by graur codrin courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Locations:
Park Ophthalmology
5306 NC Highway 55, Suite 102 (adjacent to the RTP/ Research Triangle Park)
Durham, NC 27713
Office: 919 544 5375
Fax: 919 544 5829
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Park Ophthalmology North
6512 Six Forks Road, Suite 105
Raleigh, NC 27615
919 846 6915
Office Manager Jenny Whitman, e-mail: parkeyemd@gmail.com
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