Glaucoma treatment: medication or laser for glaucoma?

Author:
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker

Glaucoma cannot be cured. However, early diagnosis and early treatment can prevent the progression of the disease.

Treatment focuses on three pillars:

  1. Preventing the progression and worsening of visual impairment.
  2. lowering intraocular pressure and restoring optimal target pressure
  3. reducing side effects and complications

It is a long-term conservative treatment, using tablets and applying drops in the eyes. Drops are applied repeatedly and several times a day. Their aim is to reduce pressure, reduce the production of fluid, increase the outflow of fluid (beta-blockers, cholinergics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, prostaglandins).

Laser surgery, called selective laser trabeculoplasty, is a method by which the formation and outflow of fluid is affected. It takes place under local anaesthesia in a few minutes. It is almost painless.

Another method, especially if the conservative approach is not sufficient, is surgery. Surgery creates an artificial opening between the anterior chamber of the eye and the bleb (subconjunctival space) to allow the fluid to drain. This procedure is called a trabeculectomy.

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Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker
The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.
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