Glaucoma Surgery Recovery

Glaucoma is a condition related to the optical system in your body, where the fluid pressure present in the eyes, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), is increased and this results in optic nerve damage, sometimes leading to vision loss. The levels of severity due to this pressure are different in every case of glaucoma which, when left untreated, usually leads to vision problems. There are two categories in which this disease is divided, viz; the open angle and the closed angle and depending on these types, there are various ways of treatments for glaucoma like medication or surgery.

However, glaucoma surgery also depends on its severity, and this decides if the patient needs laser treatment or a conventional filtering microsurgery. These surgeries help to lower the high eye pressure or IOP by either removing the excess aqueous humor from the eye, or they reduce the production of the aqueous itself. Therefore, after the surgery, there is a recovery period, where the healing takes place.

Recovery for Glaucoma Surgery

Medically, there is no cure for glaucoma which is one of the most serious eye problems and therefore, an early diagnosis with continual treatment can be the only measure which can prove beneficial. If glaucoma is diagnosed at an early stage, medicines might help, but if the condition is serious it can only be corrected by surgery. Since there are mainly two types of surgeries performed in glaucoma treatment, there are also two different sets of recoveries for each. Thus, the glaucoma surgery recovery for both these surgeries are mentioned in the following paragraphs. Take a look as there is surely a lot to learn from this information.

Glaucoma Laser Surgery

• The laser surgery for glaucoma plays a role such that, it enhances the drainage capabilities of the eye and thus, reduces the IOP.
• Most ophthalmologists recommend laser surgery, if the severity of the glaucoma is not very high and the optic nerve is not badly damaged.
• The glaucoma surgery recovery time for laser surgery is usually a few days, but doctors advise to stay away from lifting, bending and straining for a couple weeks.
• Regular checkups are a must during the glaucoma surgery recovery, as there are results like irritation, redness and tearing that can be observed.
• There are a few rare glaucoma surgery complications that may be observed like increase or excessive decrease in the IOP just after the surgery, but they can be managed by glaucoma medications.

Glaucoma Conventional Surgery

• Also known as the conventional filtering microsurgery, this is the second option of surgery recommended by ophthalmologists.
• This type of surgery is however advised only if the IOP of the patient's eye is very high, the optic nerve is severely damaged, or in case of failed laser surgery.
• The recovery time for this surgery is however more than the laser surgery, about 3 to 4 weeks, but sometimes it may take months depending on the patient's endurance.
• During this period the patient is advised to stay away from strenuous activity. Regular checkups for eye care are advised during the glaucoma surgery recovery as well, because the same results are observed and the vision needs time to be stabilized.
• The glaucoma surgery risks are very rare, but if they are observed they can be very serious.
• Since this is a incision surgery, there can be complications like bleeding, discomfort, infections and excess pain during the recovery time. If the IOP is reduced too much, there can be vision loss or permanent blindness.

With this information about glaucoma surgery recovery, hope you have found it useful. It is always a safe choice to visit a doctor if you are suffering from any peripheral eye problems so that eye surgery can be avoided.