11th March 2022, Colombo: Mount Lotus Eye and ENT Hospitals, the newest hospital of its kind in Sri Lanka, is marking World Glaucoma Week 2022 by focusing on the various types of treatments for Glaucoma and tips for lifestyle changes if you are diagnosed with it.
There are different types of treatments for glaucoma all of which depend on the type of glaucoma you have. The most common type is known as primary open angle glaucoma and is generally treated using eyedrops. Eyedrops reduce the pressure in the eyes and are normally used between 1 and 4 times a day. At times, you may have to try several types of eyedrops before finding the one that works best while there is a possibility that you may require more than one type of eyedrop. In the event eyedrops don’t improve your condition laser treatment may be recommended. This involves a high-energy beam of light which is cautiously directed towards one part of your eye to stop fluid buildup. In rare cases, both eyedrops and laser treatment may not be effective and surgery may be required. The most common type of surgery for glaucoma is called Trabeculectomy where part of the eye-drainage tubes are removed to allow fluid to drain more easily.
Living with glaucoma will require you to make certain lifestyle adjustments. You may be required to take one or several types of eyedrops throughout the day to manage your glaucoma. This should be done according to a proper schedule and therefore alarms and alerts on devices such as your mobile phone, computer or watch are useful. With the loss of vision, you are prone to the risk of falling and injuring yourself. So areas of the household should be cleared of potential dangers and as a habit you should always scan any room and be aware of the surroundings before entering. Regular exercise based on your doctor’s advice will also help your eye health as well as your overall health. If you’re an avid reader, you will find reading to be challenging due to the loss of vision. However, by using tools such as handheld magnifying devices you can continue reading. Web browsers allow you to increase the font size and contrast for easier reading while there are also tech-based solutions such as audiobooks to enjoy your favourite books without actually reading.
Testing for glaucoma can be done at Mount Lotus Eye and ENT Hospitals located at No.102, Galle Road, Mount Lavinia. It is a specialized hospital dedicated to providing world-class range of Eye and ENT medical solutions to local and international patients. The hospital is fully-equipped with modern medical technologies and highly-acclaimed, skilled professionals to provide medical and surgical solutions for any kind of Eye and ENT impairment.
