# Glaucoma (Eye Pressure) Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/glaucoma **Author:** Opr. Dr. Osman Şenbilgin | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek | **Date:** 2026-09-14 > **Summary:** Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, most often linked to raised pressure inside the eye, that can lead to permanent loss of vision. It often gives no symptoms, so regular eye pressure checks after 40 matter; it is treated with drops, laser or surgery, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. ## Quick Facts - **Operation Duration:** 20-30 minutes per eye - **Recovery Time:** Back to daily life after 1 day, full recovery in 1-2 weeks - **Anaesthesia Type:** Topical drops or local anaesthesia - **Normal eye pressure:** 10-21 mm Hg - **Screening:** Annual eye examination recommended after the age of 40 --- ## What Is Glaucoma? The body text describes it as a serious disease in which chronically high intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve and can cause vision loss; the FAQ describes it as progressive optic nerve damage whose most important risk factor is raised pressure from poor drainage of the fluid inside the eye. Fluid that nourishes the eye normally drains through canals into the bloodstream; narrowing, adhesion or blockage slows outflow and raises pressure. **Types:** - **Open-angle glaucoma:** The most common type, 85 to 90 per cent of patients; long, insidious course and usually symptom-free. - **Acute angle-closure glaucoma:** Less common; pressure rises suddenly to very high levels, with severe eye pain, headache, vomiting, nausea and marked redness. An emergency; responds immediately to intensive treatment, which is surgical (conventional or laser). People at risk of angle closure can be identified in advance and precautions taken. - **Secondary glaucoma:** Rare; raised pressure caused by another eye disease (cataract, trauma, intraocular inflammation or haemorrhage). Both the pressure and the underlying disease are treated. ## Eye Pressure and Risk - Normal: 10-21 mm Hg; above 21 is high and calls for a glaucoma assessment; people with pressure above 21 mm Hg should be checked more frequently. - At 25-40 mm Hg it is usually symptom-free and found by chance during an examination; sometimes pain and blurred vision. - Usually seen over 40 but can occur even in infants; 2-3 of every 100 people over 40 have raised eye pressure; 90 per cent of patients are over 40. - Hereditary in some families; genetic predisposition raises the risk 10 times. Unrelated to food. - More common in high myopia (above 5 dioptres) and high hyperopia (3 dioptres and above). - Other risk factors (FAQ): age, long-term steroid use and eye injuries. - Untreated, peripheral vision is lost (people or cars approaching from the side may not be noticed), and an insidious case can progress to complete loss of even light perception in 10-12 years, sometimes even surgical removal of the eye. ## Diagnosis - Pressure is measured several times; high pressure alone is not decisive, since nerve damage can occur at low pressure and high pressure may cause no damage. - Optic nerve examination with a biomicroscope, fundus photographs in suspicious cases. - OCT and nerve fibre analysis detect damage at microscopic level. - Visual field examination is essential: it maps areas of field loss. - Open-angle glaucoma is often found by routine pressure measurement in patients who come with near vision complaints. ## Treatment Glaucoma is treatable, more easily when found early. Diagnosed late, field loss can continue even after pressure falls and sometimes the eye cannot be saved, so regular drops and check-ups are essential. - **Medication:** One drop first; a second and then a third are added if pressure does not fall, or other methods are used. - **Laser:** First-line or alongside drops, or before surgery when drops are not enough; can bring moderately raised pressure to normal and safely reduce medication. Effect usually lasts 2-3 years, after which pressure may rise again. - **Surgery:** Mandatory when pressure cannot be lowered or field loss continues despite all methods; under local anaesthesia unless the patient is a child. Trabeculectomy is the most common operation, a major procedure that lowers pressure effectively but may have unwanted complications. ## Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery - Lowers pressure effectively with considerably fewer postoperative complications. - Local anaesthesia, no stitches, 20-30 minutes. - Can be done alone or together with cataract surgery. - Many patients no longer need glaucoma drops afterwards; in others the number of drops is usually reduced. **Recommended for patients:** - Whose pressure does not fall to a safe level despite maximum medication - Who develop side effects (allergies, etc.) from their drops - Who cannot apply glaucoma drops ## Prices Prices depend on the underlying cause, the special examinations and measurements, and the operation, according to the specialist's plan. No price figures are given on this page. --- ## The Treatment Journey (Minimally Invasive Surgery) ### 1. Before Treatment - Pressure measurements, optic nerve assessment and visual field testing. ### 2. During Treatment - Local anaesthesia, no stitches, 20-30 minutes. ### 3. After Treatment - The eye stays bandaged for one day; return to daily life after one day. - Healing drops for one month. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How is glaucoma diagnosed?** A: By an ophthalmologist, using intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve assessment and visual field tests. **Q: What causes glaucoma?** A: It is progressive damage to the optic nerve; the most important risk factor is raised intraocular pressure caused by poor drainage of the fluid inside the eye. Genetics, age, long-term steroid use and eye injuries may increase the risk. **Q: What happens if glaucoma is not treated?** A: It leads to vision loss over time and can cause permanent blindness. **Q: Why is early diagnosis important?** A: Treatment started early can stop or slow the disease and prevent vision loss. --- ## References - Glaucoma: diagnosis and management, NICE - Glaucoma, NHS - Understanding Glaucoma, AAO