Glaucoma is a very serious disease that damages the optic nerve because of increased pressure in the eyeball. Around 2-4% of the population suffers from this condition which, if it is not treated in time, causes irreversible blindness.
Generally speaking, the disease afflicts people over the age of 40. It is hereditary and can only be prevented by regular visits to the ophthalmologist. That’s why Oftalvist recommends having annual check-ups to prevent and detect glaucoma. Glaucoma is especially dangerous because it has virtually no symptoms and when these do appear it is certainly because the disease has already caused irreversible damage.
One of the treatments for glaucoma is surgery, which need not necessary be the last resort. The aim is to maintain intraocular pressure at a level that does not damage the eye and this level is different and individual to each patient.
Surgery is sometimes associated with failure of medical treatment, but nowadays surgical techniques have advanced to a stage that it is also considered first line treatment.
One of the tools we use at Oftalvist is the Express Valve, designed to allow the liquid inside the eye, which is called aqueous humour, to flow through the sclera (the white of the eye) below the conjunctiva (mucous membrane). It is smaller than a pin head and is implanted under local anaesthetic, sometimes with anaesthetic drops, and allows the eye to function correctly, in many cases minimising or eliminating the complications often caused by this type of surgery, which can be serious. Another advantage is the regular flow of liquid leaving the eye. Because it is so biocompatible, it is a long-lasting solution that does not lose effectiveness in the same way as more conventional techniques.
In short, it is a safe, non-aggressive, non-traumatic procedure for patients and is a long-lasting, highly effective solution in cases of glaucoma.
Dr. José Luis Rodríguez Prats Specialist in Ophthalmology Oftalvist
The information published in this media neither substitutes nor complements in any way the direct supervision of a doctor, his diagnosis or the treatment that he may prescribe. It should also not be used for self-diagnosis.
The exclusive responsibility for the use of this service lies with the reader.
ASSSA advises you to always consult your doctor about any issue concerning your health.
