If your optician has told you that you have some kind of glaucoma, you may be eager to have it taken care of so that you stop experiencing so much discomfort. However, you might be unaware of what kind of surgical procedures are available to you or how your glaucoma might be treated. The following two surgeries are often done for people with this health condition; one of them could work well for your own eyes.
Surgical Stents
You might be familiar with surgical stents for a wide variety of health conditions, but you might not realize they can also be used to relieve some of your eye problems. These stents, which are tiny medical tubes, are inserted after a small incision. The stents are placed so that all the excess fluid (or aqueous humor) inside your eyes can empty directly into your eyes' episcleral veins. Because the fluid is not left to build up inside your eyeballs, pressure should go down and you should start to have some reduction in your symptoms. Other than the incision site, you are unlikely to feel much pain in the days following a stent implantation. Even the incision site will heal and it's unlikely that you'll feel further discomfort or need to have anything else done.
This surgical procedure, however, is not always right for everyone with glaucoma. If you have certain health conditions, your doctor might want to try another treatment. For example, if you already have trouble with the veins in your body, they might suggest another solution.
Cycloablation
Another treatment option for your glaucoma could be a cycloablation procedure. This treatment requires no incisions but uses a laser instead. The laser works at destroying a portion of the so-called ciliary body, which typically regulates how much fluid is inside your eyes. By doing this, the body won't release as much of the fluid and there won't be as much pressure.
Cycloablation is generally not felt at all by people who have it done, but you may require eyedrops after this surgical procedure because there could still be some pressure afterwards. Remember that you do need some fluid in your eyes and understand that the body also controls the ciliary muscle, allowing you to visually focus, so doctors will try to preserve as much of it as necessary.
One of these surgeries could be right for your particular condition. Your eye doctor will talk more with you and explain the choice they feel is best for your vision.
