Glaucoma is an unhealthy condition of eyes resulting from high intraocular pressure. Largely a chronic disease, glaucoma continues to affect the patient for entire lifetime. Glaucoma mostly has a gradual onset though some types may occur rapidly. Early detection and appropriate surgical treatments at the right time can prevent permanent loss of sight.
Glaucoma surgery is done to reduce the intra-ocular pressure inside the eyes as well as restore the health of optic nerve. It could be done by adopting any of the three approaches like - making a flap in the eye to drain the fluid, destroying the tissues forming excessive fluid in the eye or inserting a drainage valve. Surgery cannot restore lost vision but it can control the progression of the disease.
Types of Glaucoma Surgery
#1 Laser Surgery
High energy laser beam is used to treat the trabecular meshwork of the eye which aids in increasing the fluid flow out of the eye.
#2 Conventional Surgery or Filtering Micro-Surgery
A small surgical tool is used to make a small hole called 'artificial drainage canal' in the iris which unclogs the drainage canal and enables fluid to be drained out. Generally, laser surgery is the first line of treatment. If eye pressure reverts to previous higher levels, doctors may recommend conventional surgery. If necessary, glaucoma surgery can be done several times without substantial risk.
#3 Drainage Implants
Children or those who are suffering from secondary glaucoma usually make good candidates for drainage implants. A tiny silicone tube is inserted inside the eye to drain the fluid out.
Benefits of Glaucoma Surgery
The effectiveness of the glaucoma surgery varies depending on the patient's age, type and extent of glaucoma as well as opted surgical treatment. Long-term reduction in intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in the eye is the primary benefit of glaucoma surgery.
Risk
Generally, glaucoma surgery is a safe procedure excluding few temporary post-operation symptoms.
It is normal to feel itching, sticky eyelids and mild discomfort for a while. Doctors will prescribe eye drops to avoid inflammation and infection.
Top Eye Hospitals in India
Here are some of the popular eye care centres in India which have state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technologies, experienced doctors and caring staff that have facilitated many successful glaucoma surgeries for patients so they can lead a normal life.
- Vasancare Hospitals with centres across all main Indian cities like Hyderabad, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Surat, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Puducherry etc.
- The Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital, Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Max Healthcare, New Delhi
- Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai
- L V Prasad, Hyderabad
- Ruby General Hospital, Kolkata
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences(AIMS), Kerala
- H.V.Desai Eye Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai
Cost of Glaucoma Surgery
In India, conventional and laser surgery cost anywhere around Rs. 20,000 to 30,000 depending on the selected hospital. Drainage implants surgery is little expensive which comes to a total of Rs. 40,000-50,000 because of the cost of the shunt. The glaucoma surgery cost is much more affordable in India as compared to developed countries.
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