Aftercare Tips for Glaucoma Surgery: Diet, Lifestyle, and Sleep

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that affects peripheral vision and can later lead to blindness. It is associated with pressure buildup inside the eye and worsens over time. This disease has no cure; however, surgery and medication help to slow or prevent further vision loss.

Going for an eye assessment near you can help determine if you have glaucoma.

Glaucoma surgery involves reducing eye pressure to aid in stabilizing vision and preventing vision loss in the future. In addition, the procedure can either implant a shunt to assist in draining the fluid or create a new opening to drain fluid from the eye.

There are several benefits to glaucoma surgery. They include:

• Improved eyesight
• Alleviates pressure in the eyes
• Surgery can last for several years, unlike the formulated medications for this condition
• It helps to slow down the progression of glaucoma
• The procedure isn’t time-consuming; it takes about 45 to 60 minutes

Different Types of Glaucoma Surgeries

When conservative measures fail to treat glaucoma, surgery is the next viable option. There are different types of glaucoma surgery, each of which has a unique purpose.

Let’s look at several types of glaucoma surgery:

Trabeculectomy

This surgery is used in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. It’s a type of glaucoma that occurs when the eye fluid doesn’t drain properly, resulting in increased pressure in the eye.

It takes 60 minutes or less to complete a trabeculectomy procedure. During the surgery, you will be under general or local anesthesia.

Glaucoma Implant Surgery

It is also called a tube shunt and is recommended for patients with congenital or neovascular glaucoma, but it’s also an option for individuals with other types of glaucoma.

The procedure entails implanting a shunt or tiny tube in the eye, which takes around 1 to 2 hours.

Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC)

CPC is a laser treatment that reduces fluid production and pressure in the eye.

The doctor will give you a local anesthetic to numb the eye. The procedure will be over after a few minutes, and you will be awake the whole time.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

This procedure uses microscopic-sized equipment and micro-incisions to relieve pressure in the eye. As a result, MIGS takes less time and has a faster recovery rate than other glaucoma procedures.

Aftercare Tips for Glaucoma Surgery

The recovery process after glaucoma surgery tends to be simple and pain-free. However, for a full recovery, most patients take about 3 to 6 weeks. Below are the aftercare tips that our optometrist in Calgary suggests you can follow to help you heal quickly:

• It would help if you always put on your sunglasses during the day. Wearing glasses reduces any discomfort, including light sensitivity. It also helps to keep your eyes clear of dirt, dust, and grime.
• After surgery, when taking a shower, the following day, be careful not to get any chemicals (body wash and shampoo) in the eyes. It’s important to observe that during the first week of recovery.
• Avoid indulging yourself in strenuous activities and any heavy lifting. Our Seton eye doctor may recommend taking a temporary leave if your job involves a great deal of writing, reading, typing, manual labor, or lifting.
• After glaucoma surgery, you should sleep with an eye shield. Depending on the surgeon’s instruction, that can go on for at least two weeks or more.
• Refrain from wearing contact lenses unless your doctor says so. Wearing contacts can affect the eye healing process during glaucoma surgery recovery. In addition, avoid using face cream or wearing eye makeup.
• Schedule a follow-up visit. During follow-up appointments, the doctor examines your eye to ensure its healing properly and track your progress.
• Don’t rub or push your eye. After the surgery, you may feel itchiness or irritation; avoid pushing or rubbing your eye, which can damage the eye severely.
• After the procedure, refrain from swimming in chlorine pools, oceans, hot tubs, and lakes. These environments can have bacteria that can cause you to have an infection.
• Eat healthily. Enjoying a healthy diet keeps your eyes and body healthy. Consume foods rich in nutrients such as fish with omega-3 fatty acids or dark leafy greens.

Visit an Eye Clinic Near You

In conclusion, following the aftercare tips for glaucoma surgery can help your recovery. The type of surgery you will receive determines the recovery time. Follow your doctor’s instructions to have the best recovery.

If you are interested in glaucoma screening in Calgary, contact Premier Eye Care – Seton today!