Lindfield Eye Care
02 9415 6055
3/303 Pacific Hwy, Lindfield NSW 2070
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Glaucoma Treatments

Glaucoma Treatments
Glaucoma treatments we offer include eyedrops, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, as well as laser treatment for glaucoma. Some of these techniques are the most advanced and offer the best outcomes for patients.

Treatment Types

Eye Drops Eye drops are the primary treatment for glaucoma, working to reduce eye pressure. They’re usually used 1-4 times daily, and it’s essential to follow the recommended schedule to protect your sight. Multiple types may be tried until you find the most effective one for you, and sometimes more than one type may be used together. Side effects may include eye irritation, and some drops may not be suitable for individuals with certain health conditions.

Applying Eye Drops:

  1. Wash your hands before and after use.
  2. Gently pull down your lower eyelid and place a drop in the pocket.
  3. Close your eye for a few minutes, pressing the inside corner lightly for one minute to help absorb the drop.

If using multiple drops, wait at least 5 minutes between applications.

Laser Treatment If eye drops don’t alleviate symptoms, laser treatment may be recommended to reduce fluid buildup in the eye. Types include:

  • Laser Trabeculoplasty: Opens drainage channels to reduce eye pressure.
  • Cyclodiode Laser Treatment: Reduces pressure by targeting tissues that produce eye fluid.
  • Laser Iridotomy: Creates small holes in the iris to facilitate fluid drainage.

Laser treatments are usually done while you’re awake, with local anesthetic drops to numb the eyes. You may feel brief discomfort during the procedure and might need to continue using eye drops afterward.

Surgery In cases where drops or laser treatments aren’t effective, surgery may be considered. The most common type, trabeculectomy, removes part of the eye’s drainage tubes to improve fluid flow, often eliminating the need for eye drops post-surgery. Surgery may be performed under local or general anesthesia.

Other surgical options include:

  • Trabeculotomy: Similar to trabeculectomy but uses an electric current.
  • Viscocanalostomy: Removes part of the sclera (white part of the eye) to improve drainage.
  • Deep Sclerectomy: Enlarges drainage tubes, sometimes with a tiny implant.
  • Trabecular Stent Bypass: A small tube is placed to increase fluid drainage.

Following surgery, your eye may water, appear red, and have blurred vision for up to six weeks. The hospital will provide guidance on recovery, including keeping the eye dry and avoiding certain activities like driving, reading, or heavy lifting for at least a week.

Call Lindfield Eye Care for more information and treatment with any of our skilled and experienced eye specialists. Dr. Rohan Gupta, Dr. Allan Bank or Dr. Thomas Woo