CONDITION :
Glaucoma Care
Expert Diagnosis, Individualised Treatment, Lifelong Vision Protection
Glaucoma is a complex eye disease that affects millions of people worldwide—and because it often progresses silently, many don’t know they have it until permanent vision loss has occurred. Mr Vig and his team are committed to early detection and proactive treatment of glaucoma to help preserve your sight and quality of life. In choosing who you see, it’s important your consultant is fellowship-trained specifically in glaucoma and offers the full range of diagnostic imaging, laser therapy and surgical options.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is not just one disease—it’s a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often—but not always—caused by an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes and progresses over time. Without proper management, it can lead to irreversible blindness.
Frequently asked questions
Understanding the Different Types of Glaucoma
.jpg)
Common Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because there are usually no symptoms until advanced stages. However, some symptoms to watch for include:
-
​Gradual loss of peripheral vision
-
Tunnel vision (in advanced stages)
-
Blurred vision
-
Eye pain or pressure
-
Red eyes
-
Halos around lights
-
Sudden vision loss (in acute angle-closure glaucoma)
-
Nausea and vomiting (during pressure spikes)
Who’s at Risk for Glaucoma?
Several factors increase your risk of developing glaucoma:
-
Age 60 and older (40+ for patients with African heritage)
-
Family history of glaucoma
-
Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)
-
African heritage
-
Diabetes
-
Thin corneas
-
Severe shortsightedness (myopia) or longsightedness (hyperopia)
How We Diagnose Glaucoma
Mr Vig and his team will perform a full glaucoma evaluation using the latest diagnostic tools, including:
Tonometry - Measures eye pressure
Visual Field Testing - Detects vision loss patterns
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - Provides high-resolution imaging of the optic nerve and retina
Ophthalmoscopy - Examines the optic nerve for signs of damage
Gonioscopy - Evaluates the drainage angle in the eye
Pachymetry - Measures corneal thickness, which affects IOP readings
Routine comprehensive eye exams, with an ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma, are the best way to detect glaucoma early—before noticeable vision loss occurs.
Your Glaucoma Treatment Options
Glaucoma treatment focuses on lowering intraocular pressure to prevent or slow further damage to the optic nerve. In some situations, a period of surveillance, with repeat tests after a few months, may be appropriate. If needed, treatment is tailored to the type and severity of your condition, and may include:
Medications
Prescription eye drops are safe and effective for most patients. These help lower eye pressure by reducing fluid production or improving fluid drainage.
Laser Treatments
We offer safe, outpatient clinic laser procedures, such as:
-
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) – Treats open-angle glaucoma by improving fluid outflow (see the specific section on SLT laser here)
-
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) – Used for angle-closure glaucoma to relieve pressure by creating a small opening in the iris
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
For moderate glaucoma or when medications and laser treatments aren't sufficient, MIGS procedures offer effective pressure reduction with fewer risks and shorter recovery than traditional surgery.
The iStent and Hydrus Microstent are types of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) designed to help lower eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. These tiny devices are implanted during cataract surgery to improve fluid drainage from the eye, reducing intraocular pressure and potentially reducing the need for glaucoma medications. MIGS procedures like iStent and Hydrus offer a safer, less invasive alternative to traditional glaucoma surgery with quicker recovery times. They are best suited for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma.
Glaucoma Filtration Surgery
Glaucoma filtration surgery is used to lower eye pressure in patients with moderate to advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma. Procedures such as trabeculectomy, Preserflo MicroShunt, and aqueous shunt implants (like the Paul or Baerveldt valves) create new pathways for fluid to drain from the eye, helping to reduce intraocular pressure. These surgeries are generally considered when medications or less invasive treatments are not effective. While they are more invasive than MIGS, they can provide significant and long-term pressure control in more advanced cases of glaucoma.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
