Glaucoma Treatment

Highly qualified Ophthalmologists at Herzliya Medical Center carry out effective treatment of glaucoma in Israel. Experts use an innovative approach to the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of this disease, achieving consistent results and works to effectively prevent irreversible change and future complications of associated with glaucoma.

What is Glaucoma?

The circulation of intraocular fluid contributes to the normal metabolic processes and overall functioning of the eye. Glaucoma is characterized by an imbalance of intraocular fluid in the eye and the ability for the eye’s draining mechanism to maintain healthy fluid levels. As a result, intraocular pressure increases. Excess intraocular-fluid pressure contributes to damage and atrophy to the optic nerve, which may ultimately lead to blindness. There are two main forms of Glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma – the most common manifestation of the disease
• Angle-closure glaucoma – the least common among patients, though prevalent among patients with hyperopia (farsightedness). In addition to progressive increases in pressure, Angle-Closure Glaucoma has been observed to provoke acute attacks as a result of inadequate lighting or drugs that cause the pupil to expand

The main cause of glaucoma is most often linked to hereditary predisposition. The secondary manifestation of Glaucoma is observed in patients suffering from diabetes, a decrease in accommodation (the eyes reflex to focus on near and far objects), trauma, surgery, or other serious illness.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma symptoms either are experienced as an acute attack or as a chronic result of changes in the composition of the eye, though both symptom-types are linked to progressive increases of intraocular pressure:

• Acute attack Glaucoma – This is a dangerous condition that develops when a sharp increase in intraocular pressure is accompanied by excruciating orbital pain, as well as headache, nausea and severe visual impairment. Pain associated with acute attacks that do not cease with conventional analgesics. Reduction of intraocular perfusion may lead to irreversible changes and loss of vision over a short time
• Chronic changes caused by Glaucoma, in addition to orbital pain, are further characterized by decreased visual acuity, fatigue, and impaired sight. Patients often report visualizing the appearance of “halos” formation around lights

Experts advise patients to seek treatment for Glaucoma by an ophthalmologist in Israel immediately at the first suspicion of increased intraocular pressure and it is important to preventing damage to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma Diagnosis

In the department of Ophthalmology at Herzliya Medical Center, specialists ascertain the presence of the disease, including its shape, weight, and degree of damage to the optic nerve. Among the main methods utilized for Glaucoma diagnosis in Israel are the following:

• Measure of intraocular pressure (tonometry) – providing essential criterion for Glaucoma diagnosis. This measurement is in some cases correlated with corneal pachymetry (thickness of the cornea)
• Screening and examination of visual acuity and visual field
• Ophthalmoscopy – examination of the optic nerve, as well as imaging of the optic nerve if in need of further examination
• Gonioscopy –determines type of glaucoma and distinguishes the angle formations made by the cornea and iris of the eye

Diagnostic results help ophthalmologists at Herzliya Medical Center in Israel recommend the most effective treatment for each patient.

Glaucoma Treatment at HMC

Drug treatment of glaucoma is carried out by way of local or systemic administration of drugs in efforts to facilitate the outflow of excess intraocular fluid. Unfortunately, this method is not always sufficient and may not sustain its effectiveness over time. Due to the heightened risk of serious complications and impaired vision from optic nerve damage, experts recommend surgical interventions for sufficient treatment of Glaucoma. At HMC in Israel, several modern techniques utilizing minimally invasive and laser procedures, aim to provide patients with consistent relief of intraocular pressure and prevention of future complications.

The most common practices for surgical procedures for Glaucoma offered to patients include:

• Laser iridotomy – artificial perforation of the iris with a medical laser to effectively drain the eye’s intraocular fluid from the anterior chamber to treat Angle-Closure Glaucoma
• Laser trabeculoplasty – improves efficiency of intraocular fluid drainage with a medical laser through the trabeculae to treat Open-Form Glaucoma
• Laser ablation of the ciliary body – involved in the production of intraocular fluid
• Canaloplasty –a microsurgical procedure using a drainage implant and trabeculectomy

Timely treatment provided by specialists at Herzliya Medical Center allow patients to gain relief from intraocular pressure. Early diagnosis allows experts to best identify the type and cause of Glaucoma, providing information to determine the most effective and safe treatment method for every patient