Glaucoma Treatment

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LASIK-in-Dubai

Glaucoma Treatment in Dubai

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the structure responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Glaucoma often develops slowly and painlessly, which is why it is commonly known as the “Silent Thief of Sight.” In many cases, patients do not notice any symptoms until significant vision loss has already occurred.

At New Al Shefa Clinic, Dr. Ahmad Hossein Zadeh, Consultant Ophthalmologist with more than 30 years of experience, provides comprehensive glaucoma diagnosis and treatment using the latest medical, laser, and surgical technologies to preserve vision and prevent blindness.

What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Early glaucoma usually has no symptoms. As the disease progresses, patients may experience:

  • ⁠ ⁠Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision
  • ⁠ ⁠Tunnel vision in advanced stages
  • ⁠ ⁠Blurred vision
  • ⁠ ⁠Halos around lights
  • ⁠ ⁠Eye pain
  • ⁠ ⁠Red eye
  • ⁠ ⁠Headache
  • ⁠ ⁠Nausea and vomiting (especially in acute angle-closure glaucoma)


Because glaucoma can progress silently, regular eye examinations are essential, particularly for individuals at risk.

Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It usually affects both eyes and develops slowly over many years.

The drainage angle of the eye remains open, but the drainage system becomes less efficient, causing a gradual increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and damage to the optic nerve.

Most patients are unaware of the disease until peripheral vision is affected.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked.

This condition may develop gradually or occur suddenly as an emergency. Symptoms may include:

  • ⁠ ⁠Severe eye pain
  • ⁠ ⁠Sudden blurred vision
  • ⁠ ⁠Headache
  • ⁠ ⁠Halos around lights
  • ⁠ ⁠Nausea and vomiting

Immediate treatment is essential to prevent permanent vision loss.

Congenital Glaucoma

Congenital glaucoma is a rare condition present at birth or early childhood.

Symptoms may include:

  • ⁠ ⁠Excessive tearing
  • ⁠ ⁠Light sensitivity
  • ⁠ ⁠Enlarged cornea
  • ⁠ ⁠Enlarged eye
  • ⁠ ⁠Corneal clouding

Early diagnosis and surgery are essential to preserve vision.

Normal Tension Glaucoma

In some patients, optic nerve damage occurs even though the eye pressure is within the normal range.

This condition is known as Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) or Low Tension Glaucoma and requires detailed evaluation of the optic nerve, visual fields, corneal thickness, and other risk factors.

Early diagnosis is crucial because significant vision loss can occur despite apparently normal eye pressure.

Risk Factors for Glaucoma

You may be at higher risk of developing glaucoma if you have:

  • ⁠ ⁠Family history of glaucoma
  • ⁠ ⁠Age over 40 years
  • ⁠ ⁠Diabetes
  • ⁠ ⁠High eye pressure
  • ⁠ ⁠Thin cornea
  • ⁠ ⁠High myopia (nearsightedness)
  • ⁠ ⁠Long-term steroid use
  • ⁠ ⁠Previous eye injury
  • ⁠ ⁠African or Asian ethnicity

If you have any of these risk factors, regular glaucoma screening is strongly recommended.

Advanced Glaucoma Diagnosis

At New Al Shefa Clinic, glaucoma evaluation includes:

 

  • ⁠ ⁠Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement
  • ⁠ ⁠Gonioscopy (angle assessment)
  • ⁠ ⁠Corneal pachymetry (corneal thickness measurement)
  • ⁠ ⁠OCT optic nerve analysis
  • ⁠ ⁠Retinal nerve fiber layer analysis
  • ⁠ ⁠Visual field testing (Perimetry)
  • ⁠ ⁠Fundus examination

 

These tests help detect glaucoma early and monitor disease progression accurately.

Treatment for Glaucoma

The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

Treatment options include:

Eye Drops

Glaucoma eye drops are often the first line of treatment and help reduce eye pressure by either decreasing fluid production or improving fluid drainage.

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is a laser procedure used to treat or prevent angle-closure glaucoma.

A tiny opening is created in the iris using laser energy, allowing the fluid inside the eye to flow normally and preventing sudden increases in eye pressure.

LPI is a safe and effective outpatient procedure that usually takes only a few minutes.

Trabeculectomy and Ex-Press Shunt

Trabeculectomy remains the gold standard surgical treatment for advanced glaucoma.

The surgery creates a new drainage pathway for fluid to leave the eye, reducing intraocular pressure and slowing the progression of optic nerve damage.

The Ex-Press shunt is a miniature device that can be implanted during surgery to improve fluid drainage while maintaining excellent pressure control.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an advanced and minimally invasive laser treatment for patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

SLT uses low-energy laser pulses to stimulate the eye’s natural drainage system, improving fluid outflow and lowering eye pressure without damaging surrounding tissues.

The procedure:

  • ⁠ ⁠Is performed in the clinic
  • ⁠ ⁠Takes only a few minutes
  • ⁠ ⁠Is virtually painless
  • ⁠ ⁠Requires no incision or stitches
  • ⁠ ⁠Allows rapid recovery


SLT can be used as:

  • ⁠ ⁠A first-line treatment instead of eye drops
  • ⁠ ⁠An additional treatment when medications are insufficient
  • ⁠ ⁠A method to reduce or eliminate dependence on glaucoma drops in selected patients

Many patients now choose SLT as an effective drop-free glaucoma treatment.

Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Direct SLT) – The Latest Technology in Glaucoma Treatment

Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Direct SLT) is one of the newest innovations in glaucoma care and represents the next generation of laser treatment for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Unlike conventional SLT, which requires a special contact lens to be placed on the eye, Direct SLT is a non-contact laser procedure that delivers laser energy directly to the trabecular meshwork without touching the eye.

This advanced technology improves patient comfort and shortens treatment time while effectively lowering intraocular pressure.

Advantages of Direct SLT

  • ⁠ ⁠Non-contact and minimally invasive procedure
  • ⁠ ⁠No contact lens required
  • ⁠ ⁠Comfortable and painless treatment
  • ⁠ ⁠No incision or stitches
  • ⁠ ⁠Quick treatment with rapid recovery
  • ⁠ ⁠May reduce or eliminate the need for glaucoma eye drops in selected patients
  • ⁠ ⁠Repeatable if necessary
  • ⁠ ⁠Effective in lowering eye pressure

Direct SLT is considered one of the most recent technological advances in glaucoma treatment and offers patients a safe, effective, and convenient option for preserving vision.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is a group of modern surgical techniques designed to lower eye pressure with less tissue disruption and faster recovery than traditional glaucoma surgery.

MIGS procedures are especially suitable for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma and may be combined with cataract surgery.

Advantages include:

  • ⁠ ⁠Smaller incisions
  • ⁠ ⁠Faster recovery
  • ⁠ ⁠Fewer complications
  • ⁠ ⁠Reduced dependence on glaucoma medications
Ahmed Glaucoma Valve

Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation is a highly effective surgical option for complex glaucoma cases.

This procedure is particularly useful in:

  • ⁠ ⁠Failed trabeculectomy
  • ⁠ ⁠Neovascular glaucoma
  • ⁠ ⁠Uveitic glaucoma
  • ⁠ ⁠Congenital and pediatric glaucoma
  • ⁠ ⁠Eyes with severe conjunctival scarring
  • ⁠ ⁠Glaucoma following trauma or multiple surgeries

 

The Ahmed Valve helps regulate eye pressure by diverting fluid through a small drainage device implanted in the eye.

 

Why Choose Dr. Ahmad Hossein Zadeh for Glaucoma Treatment?

Dr. Ahmad Hossein Zadeh is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with more than 30 years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

He provides comprehensive glaucoma care, including advanced glaucoma diagnostics, SLT, Direct SLT, LPI, MIGS, trabeculectomy, Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, and management of complex glaucoma cases.

His philosophy is based on early diagnosis, individualized treatment plans, and preserving vision for life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss and blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential.
Glaucoma cannot usually be cured, but it can be effectively controlled to prevent or slow further vision loss.
SLT and Direct SLT are generally painless and are performed in the clinic within a few minutes without any incision.
Yes. Having a family history of glaucoma significantly increases the risk of developing the disease.
The frequency depends on the type and severity of glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will recommend a personalized follow-up schedule.

Book an Appointment with Us!

Book your consultation today with Dr. Ahmad Hossein Zadeh and protect your vision with advanced glaucoma care at New Al Shefa Clinic.

Dr. Ahmad Zadeh

Consultant Ophthalmologist

LASIK Specialist