Ageing is a biological process that comes with significant changes in our skin, bone, hair, and eyes. Both Glaucoma and Cataracts are a natural part of the ageing process. Many elderly adults more than sixty years of age face these issues nowadays. But we must remember that both of these diseases are not associated.
Glaucoma and cataracts are two different diseases. Glaucoma is a kind of disease which gradually steals vision without giving any alarming symptoms. Here the vision loss happens due to damage of the optic nerve.
On the other hand, A Cataract is an eye condition with many symptoms like cloudiness, lack of opacity in the lens, and changes in the entry of light that affects the person’s vision.
However, both of these conditions may cause loss of vision. The loss of vision due to cataracts can be cured through surgery, and even vision loss due to Glaucoma also be reversible.
Cataract VS Glaucoma; The Significant Differences
To efficiently treat Glaucoma and Cataracts at the same time, you need to understand these diseases separately.
Cataracts: it develops due to protein, and lens fibres start breaking down due to ageing. The lens of your eyes are responsible for focusing the beam of light back into the retina and make easy for your eyes to create a sharp image. When the lens gradually becomes opaque, the vision of the eyes become yellow, dim, blurry, and in severe case, it becomes entirely lost.
There is another treatment for Cataracts, a surgery which must be done a single time, but the result is expected to be permanent. During the Cataract surgery, the original lens is removed and replaced by an intraocular lens ( IOL). The premium IOL surgery can improve vision further.
Glaucoma: Cataracts come with symptoms, whereas Glaucoma doesn’t show any symptoms. Rather it is silent and way more dangerous. Glaucoma is caused by high intraocular pressure within the eyes. This pressure can damage the optic nerve and sends a reverse signal to the brain. We can’t protect your Glaucoma, but it slows down its progress. Its symptoms are invisible, and any vision loss due to Glaucoma cannot be cured.
It may sound fearful, but you may get surgical options for Glaucoma treatment. The crucial part is to get cured as soon as possible. If you are over 40 and feel the risk of getting Glaucoma, you must talk to your specialist and undergo a detailed eye examination every year.
Procuring Glaucoma often involves the utility of eye drops and medication, and the last phase is surgery. But the doctor may prescribe a different solution if you have both Glaucoma and Cataracts.
HAT is a combination surgery for Glaucoma & Cataract surgery
10 years before, Cataracts and Glaucoma were treated separately. Cataract surgery has become a very come and safe procedure. On the other hand, Glaucoma surgery is challenging. Therefore, doctors used to reserve it for advanced cases. Presently, people with Glaucoma have a very new set of options, also known as the minimally invasive Glaucoma surgeries or shortly known as (MIGS) MIG procedure has relatively reduced risk than older Glaucoma surgeries and even it can help people in a different stage of Glaucoma with less medication or stop medication for lifelong.
A few decades ago, surgery was considered the last procedure to execute because all are open surgeries, But now it can be taken in every step to prevent vision loss because it is a minimally invasive surgery. Combining cataract surgery with Minimally Invasive Glaucoma surgery is a very good option to cure a patient permanently.
How do you choose the right kind of MIGS?
If you are suffering from Glaucoma and need cataract surgery, then the doctor will do a complete evolution and perform a screen test to understand the type of Glaucoma. After understanding the nature of the disease, they recommend the best IOP for your eyes. If you have open-angle Glaucoma, then the doctor may prescribe you MIGS.
The most common MIGS are Hydrus, iSent, Kahook Dual Blade, and XEN Gel Stent. Your surgeon will give you plenty of options along with benefits, you can choose one of them based on your requirements.
Advanced medical science has plan B for you. There are many minimally invasive procedures available if IOP doesn’t work. In this case, your ophthalmologist may use another device with zero risk. Kahook Bual Blade or XEN are the most effective stand-alone effective procedure.
Including MIGs in cataract surgery doesn’t depends on which kind of lens you select. Some doctors perform the MIGS procedure combining the standard and toric lenses, which corrects astigmatism.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, patients who have Cataracts and Glaucoma need Glaucoma Laser Surgery. Here surgical treatment comes with multiple challenges than a single-condition surgery. Thus, choose a doctor sincerely; your ophthalmologist must be highly qualified and competent in all kinds of modern surgeries.
