Every year, the second week of March is dedicated to World Glaucoma Week, a global initiative aimed at spreading awareness about glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. This week-long campaign is a crucial opportunity to educate the public about the importance of early detection, regular eye examinations, and access to proper treatment to prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, leading to gradual vision loss and, if left untreated, blindness. It is often associated with increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure. However, it can also occur with normal or low eye pressure, making it a challenging disease.

This lack of symptoms in the early stages is what makes glaucoma so dangerous. Many individuals may not even realise that they have glaucoma until their vision has already been severely affected. By raising awareness during World Glaucoma Week, Vision Care Clinic strive to ensure that people understand the importance of regular eye examinations over the age of 40 years, even if you don’t wear glasses, to aid early detection.

The Silent Thief of Sight

One of the biggest challenges with glaucoma is that it is often asymptomatic in its early stages. Many people are unaware they have glaucoma until their vision has already been significantly compromised and these changes are irreversible.

The Global Reach

World Glaucoma Week is observed in numerous countries around the world, with events and initiatives tailored to specific regions and communities. This global approach helps to ensure that individuals from all walks of life have access to glaucoma education and eye care services.

By uniting under a common mission, World Glaucoma Week fosters a sense of solidarity among the global community. It showcases the significance of collective efforts in combating glaucoma and promoting eye health.

Glaucoma Treatments at Vision Care Clinic

At Vision Care Clinic, we offer a range of advanced and effective treatments for glaucoma. Our dedicated team of eye care professionals is committed to providing the best possible care to our patients. One of the treatment options we offer is a particular type of laser treatment, which can help reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. This non-invasive procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our Bristol clinic and has proven to be successful in many cases.

In addition to laser treatment, we also prescribe glaucoma eye drops as a primary mode of treatment. These medications work by either reducing the production of aqueous humor (the fluid in the eye) or increasing its drainage from the eye, helping to lower intraocular pressure. We carefully assess each patient’s condition and determine the most suitable eye drops based on their specific needs.

For patients whose glaucoma is not well-controlled with standard medications and laser surgery, or want to try and reduce or eliminate eye drops, we offer advanced surgical procedures such as the Hydrus Microstent, PreserFlo MicroShunt, and Trabeculectomy. The Hydrus Microstent is a tiny device that is implanted in the eye to improve the outflow of fluid and reduce intraocular pressure. This minimally invasive procedure has shown positive outcomes in enhancing drainage and preserving vision.

Another option Vision Care Clinic provides is the PreserFlo MicroShunt, which is designed to divert fluid from the anterior chamber of the eye to a bleb or reservoir beneath the conjunctiva. This innovative approach helps in managing glaucoma and both these techniques can be combined with cataract surgery to address both conditions simultaneously.

Trabeculectomy is a traditional surgical procedure that creates a new drainage channel in the eye, allowing fluid to bypass the conventional outflow pathway. Our experienced surgeons perform this procedure with the utmost precision, considering the patient’s individual circumstances and overall eye health.

At Vision Care Clinic, we believe in personalised care, so we carefully evaluate and review each glaucoma patient using state of the art diagnostic technology, utilising AI analysis for monitoring so we can recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on their condition. Our goal is to preserve vision, prevent further damage to the optic nerve, and improve the quality of life for our patients affected by glaucoma. Contact our team of leading Ophthalmologists in Bristol today on 0117 905 7722 to book your comprehensive glaucoma consultation.