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The term
“glaucoma”
arises from the Greek
word
“glaucus”
(γλαυκός) meaning bright or
blue. The term is used from the time of Hip-
pocrates and it then included a much larger
spectrum of ophthalmic conditions in compar-
ison with today, possibly even cataract.
Glaucomas that are caused from particle deposits in the angle, as
in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pigment dispersion syndrome,
react well to laser treatment (SLT). Inflammatory glaucoma is well
treated with valve mechanisms. Acute glaucoma and closed angle
glaucoma (especially when lens is involved) usually need surgical
intervention.
Patients with marginally raised intraocular pressure levels of 24-
25mmHg and with early glaucomatous damage seen in the visual
field test, can usually be helped with minimally invasive glaucoma
surgery (MIGS) or canaloplasty.
These non-filtrating techniques (without opening a new drainage)
are not effective in advanced glaucomas with uncontrollable
pressure and serious glaucomatous damage. In these occasions,
trabeculectomy is the only alternative.
The decisions that have to be taken are not always easy and the
role of the glaucoma subspecialist is of extreme importance. He
has to work out a plan in order to tackle the disease and inform
the patient that glaucoma cannot be healed and needs continuous
monitoring. Unfortunately, glaucoma surgery (whether MIGS or the
traditional trabeculectomy) has an expiry date and its effectiveness
is decreasing over time.
Glaucoma surgery is one of the most serious in ophthalmology. It
requires vast experience, dedication and excellent knowledge of the
options and the techniques that are available.
The glaucoma specialist surgeons at Athens Eye Hospital realize
that the proper treatment of glaucoma is in fact a fight against time.
Every operation is not just performed to meet a patient’s needs, but
also planned with a look ahead to a further surgery if necessary. All
aspects of surgery that others might ignore or considered “details”,
we take them very seriously. Our consistent aim is to preserve the
sight and health of every patient.
