Open-angle glaucoma:
Glaucoma frequently means that the nerve cells of the eye are dying ff. Numerous factors may be considered for its cause; however, its ain cause is an eye pressure that is too high for the eye. If damage as occurred due to this disorder, this can only be stopped following diagnosis of the disease; reversing the damage is not possible. In its early stages, the glaucoma does not lead to perceptible problems, and can only be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. Aside from a usually elevated eye pressure, changes of the optic disc, the nervous tunic, and the peripheral vision are observed. The patient notices the disease only very late, and then perceives a limitation or loss in peripheral vision. Important risk factors are near-sightedness, glaucoma in family members, low blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus.

Open-angle glaucoma therapy:
In many cases, eye drop therapy is sufficient to decrease internal eye pressure, thus avoiding a progression of the disease. If the eye drop therapy proves insufficient, if there is an allergy to the eye drops, or if the patient insufficiently complies with the eye drop therapy, then eye surgery can be performed. The goal of these surgical procedures is the reduction of pressure as well. Today, there are a number of different surgical techniques available to the eye surgeon to ensure the lowest risk but highest efficiency procedure to the patient.

In principle, all glaucoma surgeries, as well as combined glaucoma-cataract surgeries, can be performed in local anesthesia, and are usually not very stressful to the patient.

Angle-closure glaucoma:
The angle-closure or acute glaucoma presents itself with a massive increase in eye pressure which is extremely bothersome to the patient. Aside from deterioration of visual acuity, halos around lights and hazy vision may be experienced as well. Other symptoms are headaches and nausea.

Angle-closure therapy:
As a start, the internal eye pressure is lowered by medication (eye drops and systemic therapy). In order to avoid the occurrence of another glaucoma attack, this is followed by a laser iridotomy, or an iridectomy with surgical instruments. This creates a small hole in the periphery of the iris. The procedure results in the complete prevention of further glaucoma attacks. The laser procedure, as well as the surgical procedure, are certain ways for the prevention of attacks.