Glaucoma
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Glaucoma is a group of ophthalmologic diseases that are characterized by the progressive narrowing of the visual field due to constantly or periodically increased intraocular pressure. This disease is widely spread and its risk increases with age. Glaucoma incidence before the age of 49 is 0.1%. Starting from the age of 50 and up to 69 the incidence of the disease is about 3%. After the age of 80, glaucoma can be diagnosed in 14% of population. Glaucoma causes complete blindness in 15% of patients.
The Booking Health portal presents 46 German clinics specializing in glaucoma treatment
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Glaucoma – Diagnostics
Early diagnostics of glaucoma is impossible because of the asymptomatic course. But if a patient checks his eyes regularly the disease, theoretically, can be detected at the beginning stage.
Following methods are used for glaucoma diagnostics:
- Perimetry
- Fundus examination
- Intraocular pressure measurement
- Biomicroscopy of the eye (anterior part)
All the patients with suspicion for glaucoma have their intraocular pressure measurement. It can be:
- Normal – up to 22 mm Hg
- Moderately increased – up to 32 mm Hg
- High – more than 33 mm Hg
To confirm the diagnosis doctors use:
- Gonioscopy
- Intraocular pressure measurement
- Ultrasound biomicroscopy
- Eye hydrodynamics investigation
- Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy
- Kinetic and static perimetry (in dynamics, the analysis is performed twice a year)
Visualization methods are used more and more often. They help to examine an optic nerve head and retina.
The following diagnostics procedures are applied:
- Scanning laser polarimetry
- Laser biomicroophthalmoscopy
- Optic coherence tomography
- Confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopy
Glaucoma stages are:
- Stage 1 – the normal field of vision, extended excavation of the optic nerve, not reaching to the edges
- Stage 2 – the restriction of the field of vision up to 10 degrees, the excavation of the optic nerve is extended, but does not reach the edge of the disk
- Stage 3 – the restriction of the field of vision up to 15 degrees, subtotal boundary nerve excavation is extended, but does not reach the edge of the disc
- Stage 4 – complete blindness or retention of a small visual island in the temporal sector
A detailed examination is required to confirm the diagnosis. Glaucoma cannot be diagnosed just on the basis of the increased intraocular pressure, as the cases are known when optic nerve atrophy is progressing even with the normal intraocular pressure.
Best clinics for the glaucoma diagnostics in Germany:
Glaucoma – Treatment
Conservative and surgical treatments of glaucoma are possible. Conservative treatment is directed at the reduction of intraocular pressure and prevention of the pathology progression. Patient is prescribed a life-long use of eye drops. Target intraocular pressure level is defined individually by the doctor.
Laser treatment of glaucoma helps to enhance the medicines action and sometimes even completely avoid their usage.
The advantages of these treatment methods are:
- Stable result
- Minimal risk of complications
- Low injury rate
- Chance to perform the operation in an outpatient basis
Depending on the type of glaucoma, various laser surgeries can be performed:
- Genioplasty
- Trabeculopuncture
- Iridectomy
- Trabeculoplasty
- Descemetogoniopuncture
- Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (can be performed by contact or contactless)
Surgical glaucoma treatment. Different operations are indicated for different types of the illness. For instance, for the angle-closure glaucoma doctors use peripheral iridectomy or iridocycloretraction. Congenital glaucoma requires performing goniotomy and sinus trabeculectomy.
Indications for surgical treatment are:
- Ineffectiveness of other therapies, inability to establish desired intraocular pressure
- Impossibility to use other treatment methods due to the number of reasons
- Presence of high numbers of intraocular pressure and fast progressing vision disorders
- Congenital glaucoma
Main aim of the surgical treatment is to create new or stimulate the existing ways for intraocular fluid outflow and normalize the intraocular pressure. The most important indicator of the successful operation – no need to apply the antihypertensive drugs after the surgery.
Best clinics for the glaucoma treatment in Germany:
Glaucoma – Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation measures help to restore normal vision and prevent the recurrence of glaucoma. During the first days after laser or surgical treatment, the following measures are recommended:
- Use a special eye bandage, this will minimize the risk of infection
- Avoid mechanical influence on the eye, sleep on the side of a healthy eye
- Avoid contact of liquid with eyes, for example, during the washing
- Avoid working in an inclined position, as well as intense physical exertions
- Avoid overheating, visiting baths and saunas
Further rehabilitation includes drug support, moderate physical activity and follow-up examinations by the ophthalmologist. It is necessary to hold a consultation with the patient about the proper nutrition and the way of life which is important for him in the current situation.
Rehabilitation programs in Germany are designed for 2 weeks. If necessary, they can last much longer. In this country, the patient is provided with qualitative care, accommodation in comfortable rooms and individually selected meals.
Rehabilitation programs in Germany show one of the best results in the world. Most patients successfully restore their employability and excellent health there. They remain physically active, return to the full social and family life.
Best clinics for general therapeutic rehabilitation in Germany:
Author:
The article was edited by medical expert, board certified Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Source:
International Council of Ophthalmology
The cost of services includes
Here you can find the cost of treatment for this disease at the German University Hospitals. Leave a request and we will provide a free consultation with a doctor and will start organizing the whole treatment process.
The program includes the following:
- Issuing of an invitation for getting a visa for treatment as quick as possible
- Fixing an appointment at a time convenient for you
- Preliminary organization of a comprehensive examination and discussion of the forthcoming treatment plan
- Arranging transfer from the airport to the hospital and back to the airport
- Provision of interpreting services and services of a personal medical coordinator
- If necessary, assistance in the organization of further surgical treatment
- Provision of a medical insurance against treatment complications covering up to 200,000 euro
- Preparation and translation of medical records and recommendations from the hospital
- Assistance in the subsequent communication with your attending physician, including consultations on repeated X-ray images through the unique medical document management system E-doc
