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Glaucoma treatment Durban

Dr Grant Ladner specialises in the treatment of Glaucoma at his practices in Durban and Kloof. As an ophthalmologist, he will perform glaucoma surgery or laser surgery if necessary. 

Glaucoma is an eye condition or group of diseases that damages the optic nerve that supplies visual information to your brain from your eyes. It is a progressive condition that worsens over time. The health of your optic nerve is vital for good vision.

Glaucoma is often linked to a build-up of pressure in the eye and a loss of nerve fibres in the optic nerve .

Glaucoma is a silent disease until it is very advanced.

Types of glaucoma and their causes

There are a variety of different types of glaucoma that an individual can experience. They each have their own unique causes and treatments. Here are the 4 main types of glaucoma to look out for:

  1. Primary open-angle glaucoma – This is the most common type of glaucoma. It is caused when the pressure inside the eye, also known as intraocular pressure or (IOP), is chronically elevated.
  2. Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma – The eye pressure is elevated due to protein blocking the drainage of fluid within the eye.
  3. Secondary – Other eye conditions cause raiised intra ocular pressure such inflammation within the eye
  4. Angle closure glaucoma – The area where fluid drains out of the eye is too narrow and the pressure builds up within the eye

Glaucoma symptoms

  1. Usually none
  2. Headaches
  3. Loss of side vision
  4. Light sensitivity
  5. Loss of vision

Glaucoma treatment

Medical treatment includes drops
Laser – certain types of glaucoma are amenable to laser treatment
Surgery – this ranges from less invasive procedures to placing valves into the eye. These procedures have evolved in the last decade and great advances have been made in treating glaucoma.

Laser treatment of glaucoma

  1. Iridotomy – This laser surgery is for those who have angle-closure glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will use a laser to make a tiny hole in your iris. This helps fluid to flow to the drainage angle.
  2. Trabeculoplasty – this laser surgery is for those who have open-angle glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will use a laser to make your drainage angle work better. Fluid will then flow out properly and the pressure in your eye will be reduced.
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What does glaucoma surgery entail?

Depending on the type of glaucoma you have, surgery may not be necessary. Treatment of glaucoma will depend primarily on determining if the angle is open or closed. Your ophthalmologist will normally prescribe oral medication or eye drops to lower the pressure in your eyes. It would be advisable to have the surgery should these treatments not work.

The surgery involves reducing the eye pressure to help stabilise your vision. It is done by creating a new opening or drainage pathway for the fluid to drain out of your eye. 

After your surgery, make sure you always maintain all of your eye doctor appointments. Experiencing blurry vision in the operated eye is common after glaucoma surgery but will improve over the weeks that follow. Your ophthalmologist uses special technology that will measure how your glaucoma is progressing. If you experience any of the following symptoms during your recovery period, please contact your ophthalmologist: 

  • Decreasing vision
  • Swelling or redness in the eye
  • Pus or discharge from the eye
  • Any additional pain in the eye
  • Shadows in your vision field

Glaucoma Surgeon in Durban

Many glaucoma surgeries enjoy high success rates of slowing down the progression of the disease. If you, or someone you know is experiences any vision problems, set up an appointment with Dr Grant Ladner today. He is a specialist ophthalmologist operating in the Berea, Durban and Kloof areas of KZN.

Glaucoma | Frequently Asked Questions

  • Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye. It is called the "silent thief" because it usually has no symptoms or pain in the early stages, and vision loss begins with your peripheral (side) vision, which many people don't notice until it is advanced. 

  • No, any vision loss caused by Glaucoma is permanent and cannot be reversed with current medical technology. This is why early detection through regular screenings at our Berea or Kloof clinics is critical, as treatment can only prevent or slow further damage. 

  • Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly over time, while angle-closure glaucoma is a sudden, painful medical emergency. If you experience severe eye pain, headache, blurred vision, or see halos around lights, you must contact our Durban emergency line or go to an eye casualty immediately. 

  • Yes, for most patients, daily eye drops are a lifelong commitment to keep eye pressure stable and protect the optic nerve. Dr Ladner monitors your progress to ensure the drops are effective and may suggest alternative treatments if you experience side effects or difficulty with the daily routine. 

  • MIGS refers to a group of newer surgical procedures that use microscopic equipment to lower eye pressure with fewer risks than traditional surgery. These procedures, such as the iStent or Xen Gel Stent, are often performed at the same time as cataract surgery at Hillcrest Private Hospital or Parklands. 

  • A trabeculectomy is a traditional surgery that creates a "trapdoor" in the white of the eye to allow excess fluid to drain out. This is usually reserved for more advanced cases where eye drops or laser treatments have failed to lower the pressure sufficiently to save your vision. 

  • While a healthy lifestyle supports overall eye health, diet alone cannot replace medical treatment for Glaucoma. Avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy blood pressure are beneficial, but you must continue your prescribed medical regimen as directed by Dr Ladner. 

  • Yes, having a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with Glaucoma significantly increases your risk of developing the condition. We strongly recommend that family members over the age of 40 have a comprehensive eye exam, including a pressure check and optic nerve scan, at our Durban practice. 

  • SLT is a gentle laser treatment used to lower eye pressure by improving the natural drainage of fluid from the eye. Dr Grant Ladner often recommends SLT at our Berea or Kloof clinics as a first-line treatment for Open-Angle Glaucoma, as it can effectively reduce or even eliminate the need for daily eye drops for several years.

     

  • LPI is a preventative laser procedure that creates a microscopic hole in the iris to prevent a sudden, painful attack of Narrow-Angle Glaucoma. This "bypass" allows fluid to flow more freely within the eye; Dr Ladner performs this quick, "in-chair" procedure in Durban for patients identified as having "narrow angles" during a routine eye examination.

Dr Grant Ladner | Eye Surgeon