Q: How do I know if I have glaucoma?
A: Majority of patients who have glaucoma do not have any symptoms. The best way for early detection of glaucoma is for an eye specialist to check your eyes (screening test).

Q: Is there a cure for glaucoma?
A:There is no definite cure but blindness is preventable if detected early. Follow up is life-long even after laser or surgery has been done.

Q: What are the activities that I cannot do if I am diagnosed to have glaucoma?
A: There are no restrictions to food or activity. You should stop smoking as it would make your glaucoma worse. Make sure you put your eyedrops regularly as instructed by your doctor. It is not advisable to wear tight neck ties for long hours and to put your head down below your waist for long durations (such as doing head-stand).

Q: Can stress, excessive crying, lack of sleep make my glaucoma worse?
A: NO.

Q: How is glaucoma diagnosed?
A: By examination of your eyes by an eye specialist. The doctor will check your vision, measure your intraocular pressure, assess your anterior chamber angle and optic disc. If necessary he will need to order special test such as Visual field test and Optical Coherent Tomogram (OCT) of your optic discs.

Q: How is glaucoma treated?
A: Most of the time the treatment is using eyedrops to lower the intraocular pressure. However, in a certain type of glaucoma, called primary angle closure, the definitive treatment is by laser. Treatment and follow up is life-long.

Q: What if the eyedrops I am using cannot control my glaucoma?
A: Your eye specialist will advice you regarding the need for further treatment such as laser or surgery to lower your intraocular pressure to prevent further deterioration.

Q: What are the types of laser that can be used to treat glaucoma?
A: For angle closure, the treatment is called a laser iridotomy, ie using a laser to puncture a hole in the iris to relieve pupillary block. For open angles another type of laser called trabeculoplasty can be use to increase outflow through the trabecular meshwork. For late stage glaucoma laser can be used to ablate ciliary processes that produce aqueous and this is called cyclophotocoagulation.

Q: What are the types of surgery that can be done to prevent progression of glaucoma?
A: Surgery can be done to create new channel for the fluid to come out of the eye. The aim of the surgery is to lower the eye pressure to preserve vision and not improve vision. The most common surgery done is called trabeculectomy where a new channel is created in the wall of the eye to allow fluid to flow out. Another surgery is called implantation of glaucoma drainage device where a silicone tube is inserted into the anterior chamber to drain fluid out onto a plate. If surgery is successful, you may not require eyedrops anymore or require less eyedrops. However you will still need to return for regular follow up.

Q: If I am already blind from glaucoma, can surgery still help me?
A: NO, once you are blind from glaucoma, it is irreversible, surgery will not help at this stage.