Glaucoma affects the optic nerve fibers in one or both eyes. Part of a person’s vision is typically lost due to this condition. While it is most common for both eyes to be affected, it is possible for only one eye to develop glaucoma.
It may be unclear when it is time to visit an eye surgeon for glaucoma because each eye may work together to fix the vision that was lost.
Typically, peripheral vision is the first to go in patients suffering from glaucoma. The central vision is often unaffected at first, so it’s easy for patients to read and recognize faces.
If only one eye has lost parts of its vision, the other eye will compensate and help the patient see normally. When peripheral vision goes, it can be difficult for patients to drive and many may experience an increase in falls.
If the condition is left untreated, glaucoma will progress and get worse over the years. Eventually, the central vision will be affected, and patients will be unable to see things clearly.
If a visit to the eye surgeon is put off, the damage becomes worse. The effects of glaucoma are irreversible, but treatment can help retain useful sight.
Glaucoma Treatments Performed by an Eye Surgeon
While eye drops are becoming an increasingly popular way to treat glaucoma, they are not effective in all patients. An eye surgeon can effectively treat glaucoma with the following procedures:
- Laser Trabeculoplasty: This painless treatment places laser spots on the eye to move fluid out of the eye.
- Trabeculectomy: The eye surgeon creates a small hole in the outer wall of the eye to create a new passage for eye fluid to flow.
It is in a patient’s best interest to visit an eye surgeon sooner than later when parts of their vision seem off or if they are experiencing eye strain. The longer a patient waits to see a surgeon, the more of their sight they may potentially lose.
