What is it?

Glaucoma is a disease affecting the optic nerve (likened to an "electric cable"), which connects the eyeball to the brain transmitting information that helps us to see. Glaucoma is emerging as a leading cause of blindness in Singapore.

What are the risk factors?

The risk factors associated with development of glaucoma are as follows:

• High pressure within the eye ball
• Ageing
• Family history of glaucoma
• High degree of short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia)
• History of steroid use
• History of significant trauma to the eye
• Elderly Chinese females (angle closure glaucoma)
• Migraine headache and peripheral vasospasm

What are the symptoms?

Glaucoma can present in acute or chronic forms. In acute glaucoma, symptoms include severe eye pain, blurring of vision and seeing haloes (rings). Chronic glaucoma is however painless and causes gradual loss of vision (peripheral vision first followed by central vision).

What are the treatments for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma treatment aims to preserve vision and quality of life. Treatment usually focuses on lowering the pressure in the eye.

• Many patients respond favourably to medication in the form of eye drops.
• Laser treatment can treat and prevent acute and other forms of glaucoma.
• Surgery (trabeculectomy, shunt surgery) may be needed if the eye pressure is not controlled with medication and/or laser.

Here are some treatments for Glaucoma:

Angle-based Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

Glaucoma Drainage Device (Tube) Surgery

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)

Preserflo Microshunt

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) for Glaucoma

Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin-C

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