Glaucoma Examination and treatment at DOmed
In the eye, the so-called ciliary body continually produces new eye fluid (aqueous humour), which then drains through the drainage angle. Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions where the pressure inside the eye is too high for the load capacity and circulation of the optic disc.
How does glaucoma occur?
In patients with glaucoma, the damage to the optic nerve usually occurs slowly, leading to progressive loss of vision. The field of vision gets narrower in a crescent shape from the outside. This narrowing field of vision can, for example, lead to orientation problems in traffic. This change is painless and is often not even noticed in the early stages of the condition. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes. If it remains untreated, it can lead to severe loss of vision or even to complete blindness.
In the case of closed-angle glaucoma, additional symptoms such as pain, redness, nausea and vomiting may occur.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
For the diagnosis of glaucoma, an eye test is first carried out. Afterwards, the intraocular pressure is measured. The intraocular pressure also depends on the thickness of, or the resistance offered by, the cornea. For this reason, it is also recommended to carry out a pachymetry of the cornea during the initial examination. Then, the ophthalmologist will evaluate the optic nerve (fundoscopy). The fourth examination is the visual field test.
A precise analysis of the optic disc and any existing glaucomatous damage is made possible by innovative diagnostic methods, such as GDx, OCT etc.
How can glaucoma be treated?
Den meisten Glaukompatienten kann mit Augentropfen geholfen werden. Wenn die medikamentöse Behandlung nicht zum angestrebten Ziel führt oder das Krankheitsbild sehr ausgeprägt ist, werden operative bzw. laserchirurgische Maßnahmen in Betracht gezogen. Eine operative Maßnahme wäre ein Glaukomimplantat und als Laserbehandlung käme Cyclophotokoagulation in Frage.
Scanning laser polarimetry (GDx)
With conventional diagnosis methods, damage to the optic nerve can only be detected at an advanced stage. During an examination with the GDx, the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer is measured with a weak laser beam and evaluated with the help of a computer. The rapid non-contact measurement with the GDx allows objective measurement of the retinal nerve fibre layer with µm precision. The GDx procedure allows diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy as early as possible, as well as enabling precise checks on the progress of the disease.
What can you do?
Regular check-ups by your ophthalmologist are the best way to detect glaucoma. Those over the age of 40 should have their eyes checked regularly, even if they do not have any symptoms. This is particularly important if there is a case of glaucoma in the family or the patient has severe short-sightedness.
Our DOmed centres can carry out the newest procedures to detect glaucoma in its early stages.