Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes vision impairment or even the complete loss of vision due to damage present in the optic nerve, which is the nerve in the back of the eye. Your optic nerve is also part of the eye that transmits visual information to your brain, and this damage is typically related to the increase in pressure inside the eye. As such, any damage to this specific nerve can affect your vision.
However, it is crucial to note that glaucoma can also manifest even when you have normal eye pressure. This condition is most common in those over the age of 60.
The Different Types of Glaucoma
Different types of glaucoma may affect you in different ways. During your check-up, the glaucoma specialist in Singapore will determine which of these your condition falls under:
- Open-angle glaucoma – In this type of glaucoma, you won’t experience any early symptoms until you begin losing your vision. You might not even notice the vision loss right away. There isn’t any proven cause of open-angle glaucoma as of now. However, experts suggest that this type of glaucoma may be caused by the pressure building up in the eye. If the fluid isn’t drained quickly enough, it causes pressure that pushes the optic nerve at the back of the eye.
- Angle-closure glaucoma – Also called narrow-angle or acute glaucoma, this condition happens when the outer edge of the iris blocks fluid from draining out of the front of the eye. When the fluid builds up fast, it causes a sudden increase in eye pressure. If left untreated, this could result in vision loss.
- Congenital glaucoma – When babies have problems in their eye that keeps the fluid from draining normally, they develop congenital glaucoma. Signs a child may have congenital glaucoma include cloudy eyes, sensitivity to light, extra tears, and eyes that are larger than normal.
Signs & Symptoms That Indicate You Should Visit a Glaucoma Doctor in Singapore
Glaucoma symptoms are typically easy to miss as they don’t have early warning signs. That’s why you must undergo routine eye check-ups with your eye doctor in Singapore. But in some cases, they may manifest suddenly. These are some of the glaucoma symptoms you must watch out for:
- Eye pressure or pain
- Headaches
- Low vision
- Blurred vision
- Narrowed vision
- Blind spots
- Red eyes
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red eyes
Glaucoma Treatment Options Available in Singapore
Though glaucoma is irreversible, there are still treatment options available that can help slow down the progression of the disease. If left untreated, the condition will develop faster, causing permanent vision or blindness. These are some of the treatment options that you will be prescribed by your glaucoma doctor in Singapore:
1. Medications
Your glaucoma doctor in Singapore may prescribe you eye drops for your condition. Some of these eye drops can help decrease the fluids and increase the drainage to improve your eye pressure. The eye doctor may recommend that you use the eye drops daily and more than once a day, depending on your condition.
2. Laser therapy
In some cases, the glaucoma specialist in Singapore will suggest laser treatment as the first line of therapy instead of medication or may recommend it alongside the use of eye drops. Laser treatment for glaucoma involves improving the drainage of fluid from the eye or reducing the production of fluid to decrease eye pressure.
3. Surgery
Another way to reduce your eye pressure is through surgery. With surgery, the glaucoma specialist in Singapore can ensure better eye pressure control and help slow down the progression of the condition, preventing vision loss.
Visit a Glaucoma Doctor in Singapore
To determine the right treatment for your glaucoma, you must consult a glaucoma specialist in Singapore. EyeWise Vision Clinic offers screenings and treatment for individuals that are showing signs or could be at risk of glaucoma. Our eye doctor will work closely with you to ensure you have appropriate treatment to manage the symptoms of glaucoma and slow down its progression.
We also offer general eye care and screening for your routine eye check-ups. To know more about our services, please contact us today.
Dr. Christopher Khng, specializes in Complex Cataract and Anterior Segment Reconstruction Surgery, in particular, Iris Reconstruction and surgery for Aniridia. His other areas of expertise include Complex Lens surgery, New Lens and Phacoemulsification technologies, Refractive surgery, Phakic IOLs (the Implantable Collamer Lens, ICL), and small-incision, topical anesthesia phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Dr. Khng is a member of the Singapore Medical Association (SMA), a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ECSRS). He is registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) in Singapore and with the General Medical Council (GMC) for practice in the United Kingdom.