Cataract Glaucoma

Cataract glaucoma

        Cataracts and glaucoma are two quite different diseases, although they may occur in the same patient. Because glaucoma and cataract eye diseases are more common in the elderly, it is not uncommon to see them together. Generally related to aging, cataracts are due to a gradual clouding of the lens. The lens are lens of high power, introduced in the mid-eye. Its role is to focus images on the retina so that vision is clear, especially near vision. When the cataract is very present, it interferes with distance vision and near the point of becoming annoying in daily life.

        Its only treatment is surgical intervention and involves removing the aging lens and replace it with a plastic lens (silicone or acrylic). Great strides have been made in cataract surgery and patients can be operated under local anesthetic, in "ambulatory" (the patient is hospitalized within 24 hours, often within hours). In some cases, it is possible to operate cataract and glaucoma in the same operation, which allows faster processing of the two diseases.

        In other cases, it is preferable to operate the glaucoma first (especially if it is more serious), and then the cataract. Your ophthalmologist is best qualified to know if you also have a cataract and if is preferable to operate the cataract and glaucoma at the same time or separately. This condition can be detected by a simple gesture. During an eye examination, the doctor takes the eyestrain.

        This screening involves everyone and is important because from the moment the view is affected by glaucoma, no treatment can recover. At the age of 40-45 years, we must examine the eyes by going to a doctor and take the tension regularly, about every two years. If there are risk factors, the first consultation will take place earlier and the rate will be close monitoring.

       Glaucoma is a disease which is always related to age, or it may occur early, particularly in the aftermath of juvenile chronic arthritis, a childhood disease that causes joint pain. There are also risks for people with diabetes, vascular disease, high myopia or whether there are cases of glaucoma in the family.

Cataract glaucoma treatment

        Glaucoma is treated with eye drops, drops that reduce pressure in the eye. This treatment is designed to prevent loss of sight. It must be taken every day for a lifetime. Surgery and laser are sometimes necessary to drain the fluid.