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Glaucoma Laser Surgery Risks

The glaucoma laser surgery risks are usually very minute. The biggest risk is that the surgery will not be successful and that you will lose your sight in that eye. However, if left unchecked, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness as it is, so you are not really risking anything by getting glaucoma laser surgery. For this reason, the glaucoma laser surgery risks are well worth taking.

Anytime you have surgery, there are risks involved. Glaucoma surgery risks are like any other type of surgery risks. There is a risk that you may have a problem with the anesthesia needed to perform the surgery or a reaction to the eye drops that are used to help with the surgery. The laser surgery itself has proven to be very successful in treating glaucoma, but is not fool proof, just like any other type of surgery. There are always risks entailed whenever you undergo any type of surgery.

Many people do not know that they have glaucoma until it has caused so much damage to the optic nerve that it is irreparable. There are many different types of glaucoma as well as causes. For the most part, it is caused by too much pressure around the optic nerve. This can be from an inherited condition, an enlarged cataract or even an illness. While most people who suffer from glaucoma are older people, it can affect all age groups. Even young children are prone to a certain form of glaucoma that affects the young.

Years ago, there was not much to be done for those who suffered from glaucoma. Once the optic nerve was damaged, there was no hope that the person would regain their sight and blindness ensued. However, in recent years, the development of laser treatments for what once were very delicate operations, have helped in treating those with glaucoma. These are not without risks. Glaucoma laser surgery risks usually involve the patient not being able to either improve their vision after the surgery or losing their vision entirely. However, since the eventual outcome of untreated glaucoma is the loss of vision, the risks are minute.

Still, glaucoma is treated conservatively when it is first discovered. Eye drops and medications are often the first option when it comes to treating this disease. When these fail, then more serious measures are considered. Your eye doctor may then refer you to a doctor who performs glaucoma laser surgery to help you save your sight.

Blindness is not the only outcome for those who are suffering from glaucoma, thanks to laser surgery. While it used to be the inevitable for those who came down with one of the many forms of this disease, this is no longer so. Sure, glaucoma laser surgery risks are present, but because laser surgery is often the last resort, the risks are often worth enduring in order to save the sight of the patient.

HEALTH- January: Glaucoma Awareness Month

Written by Robert A. Lytle, M.D. This January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye Care America want to remind people that knowing your risks for glaucoma can save your sight.

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