Cataracts and Glaucoma: What Do I Do?


Both glaucoma and cataracts are common eye afflictions that occur naturally with age. It is not uncommon to have both at the same time. Managing these two eye diseases can be challenging for our patients, but treating both of them can prevent permanent blindness and prolong your vision. Our team of specialists at our Columbia, SC office are highly trained for both glaucoma treatment and cataract surgery.


About Cataracts

Cataracts affect your eyes slowly over time. Until they affect your quality of life, for example affecting driving, reading, and/or facial recognition, you can live with them. Schedule regular eye exams so your doctor can monitor their progress.  Removal surgery is the only treatment to “cure” them.


About Glaucoma

Unlike cataracts, glaucoma tends to progress quickly and may damage the optic nerve.  Untreated, this disease can cause permanent blindness or irreversible vision loss, so it’s essential to address the disease once it’s found.

Typically, treatment includes prescription medication and/or laser treatments. Both will decrease the pressure in your eye and can prevent any further damage. Some patients do require surgical intervention.


Surgery Options

Glaucoma
Unfortunately, Glaucoma is unable to be cured, but surgery can slow down the disease’s progression and lower the chances of permanent blindness. Trabeculectomies help to drain the excess fluid from the eye and can relieve some of the pressure while tube shunts act as a drainage device that is implanted directly into the eye. Both of these surgeries can be done together. New technology has resulted in doctors being able to place a stent in the eye which is more efficient and less invasive than a tube shunt.

Cataracts
Cataract surgery is unnecessary until cataracts start to impact your daily life. Cataract surgery removes the eye lens and cataract, replacing the natural lens with an artificial one.

Luckily for patients with both glaucoma and cataracts, you can have both surgeries at the same time. The small incisions made during cataract surgery can be used to insert a stent. Having both of the operations together reduces the risk of complications.

Location: South Carolina, USA

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