Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults.
The cost for glaucoma surgery may vary based on the patient's specific surgical needs, surgeons' fees, and anesthesia and surgery center or hospital fees. Your glaucoma surgery in Iran will cost you somewhere between 1600-5000$.
There is still no cure for glaucoma, but if it’s caught early, you can preserve your vision and prevent vision loss. But sadly since there are often no early signs, 50% of people with glaucoma don’t even know they have the disease.
Seeing halos around lights / Vision loss/ Eye redness / Whitening or haziness of the cornea / Eye pain / Patchy blind spots inside or central vision/ Tunnel vision / Severe headaches
Glaucoma happens when the optic nerve gets damaged. Blind spots start to develop in your vision as this nerve gradually deteriorates. The relation is still not fully understood by doctors, but this nerve damage is usually related to increased pressure in the eye.
If left untreated, it takes glaucoma about 10-15 years to advance from early damage to total blindness.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of adult blindness which requires early treatment to prevent vision loss and blindness. Some forms of Glaucoma will steal your vision so gradually that often you see no warning signs or painful symptoms. That's reason enough to have regular eye exams which are crucial for protecting your eyesight. Glaucoma typically occurs with increased fluid pressure in the eyes, which damages the optic nerves, resulting in vision loss or blindness. However, Glaucoma can also occur with normal eye pressure.
The signs and symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of your condition. For example:
Patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) or central vision, frequently in both eyes
Tunnel vision in the advanced stages
Severe headache
Eye pain
Nausea and vomiting
Blurred vision
Halos around lights
Eye redness
If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness. Even with treatment, about 15 percent of people with glaucoma become blind in at least one eye within 20 years.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve. There are several types of glaucoma, each with its own characteristics:
Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the fluid in your eye can’t drain fast enough, creating pressure that pushes on the optic nerve in the back of your eye.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Also known as narrow-angle or acute glaucoma, this type is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the outer edge of the iris blocks fluid from draining out of the front of the eye, causing a sudden increase in eye pressure.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma: This is a type of open-angle glaucoma that occurs in people with normal eye pressure. You may be at higher risk for normal-tension glaucoma if you have certain heart problems, low blood pressure, or a family history of the condition.
Congenital Glaucoma: This rare condition occurs in babies and is usually diagnosed within the first year of life. It’s often caused by a defect in the angle of the eye that slows or prevents normal fluid drainage.
Secondary Glaucomas: These types of glaucoma occur as a result of another medical condition or use of certain medications. Conditions that can lead to secondary glaucoma include uveitis (an inflammatory disease that produces swelling and destroys eye tissues), diabetes, and certain tumors.
Neovascular Glaucoma: This is a type of secondary glaucoma that is often associated with diabetes or certain forms of retinal disease.
Pigmentary Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma typically affects young, white men and is caused by pigment granules in the back of the iris breaking into the clear fluid produced inside the eye.
Exfoliation Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma involves a genetic factor and is characterized by the accumulation of a whitish, dandruff-like material on the lens, ciliary body, and other areas of the anterior segment of the eye.
Each type of glaucoma requires a different treatment approach, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from an eye care professional.
Recovery time after glaucoma surgery takes about 3-4 weeks, while in some cases it may linger up to several months.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve. If glaucoma medicines and laser treatment haven’t helped to treat your glaucoma, your doctor may recommend surgery. There are several types of glaucoma surgeries that can help lower the pressure in your eye:
Trabeculectomy: This type of surgery is usually used to treat open-angle glaucoma. The surgeon creates a tiny opening in the top of your eye, under your eyelid, where no one will see it. This opening allows extra fluid in your eye to drain away, lowering pressure in your eye.
Glaucoma Implant Surgery: In this operation, the surgeon implants a tiny tube, or shunt, onto the white part of your eye. The tube helps extra fluid drain out of your eye, lowering your eye pressure.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): If you have mild glaucoma, your doctor may recommend a new approach called MIGS. This also lowers eye pressure, but it has fewer risks and side effects and helps you recover faster.
Laser Trabeculoplasty: This is the most common surgery to treat glaucoma and is a short in-office procedure. There are two types: argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) and selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). Both lasers reduce eye pressure by targeting the blockage in the natural drainage system of the eye, also called the trabecular meshwork.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI): LPI is a procedure that uses a laser to make a tiny hole in your iris that lets fluid move freely. LPI works for people with closed-angle glaucoma.
Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC): CPC treats glaucoma because it uses lasers to make the ciliary body produce less fluid.
Each type of glaucoma surgery requires a different treatment approach, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from an eye care professional.
Glaucoma surgery is a procedure that helps lower the pressure inside your eye, protecting your optic nerve from future damage. There are several benefits and risks associated with glaucoma surgery.
Lower Eye Pressure: Glaucoma surgeries help your eye drain more of the backed-up aqueous fluid, so the pressure can go down in the rest of your eye. This protects your optic nerve from future damage.
Prevention of Vision Loss: Glaucoma surgery has very high success rates in substantially slowing the progression of glaucoma. When it comes to surgical intervention for advanced glaucoma cases, the benefits typically outweigh the risks.
Vision Loss: In the short term after your operation, glaucoma surgery temporarily disrupts your vision. Permanent vision can be reduced, or even, in very rare instances, totally lost as a result of any of these glaucoma operations.
Bleeding: With any of these operations, complications can occur even with the best surgical techniques. Uncommon or rare complications include bleeding inside the eye.
Infection: Infection is a potential risk associated with any surgical procedure.
Low Eye Pressure (Hypotony): Very low eye pressures can lead to fluid pockets behind the retina.
Scarring: Scarring can occur after the surgery.
Cataract Formation: Cataract formation is a potential risk after glaucoma surgery.
While glaucoma surgery offers several benefits such as lower eye pressure and prevention of vision loss, it also has drawbacks including the risk of vision loss, bleeding, infection, low eye pressure, scarring, and cataract formation. Therefore, it’s important to have a detailed discussion with your surgeon about the risks and benefits of the specific surgery you may undergo.
Recovery and aftercare are crucial aspects of the glaucoma surgery process.
Immediately after the surgery, you should avoid touching the implant area and vigorously rinsing your mouth. You should also get adequate rest and avoid physical exertion and vigorous exercise for about a week. Over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be taken to ease any discomfort.
Bleeding from the implant site or redness in the saliva can continue for up to 72 hours after dental implant surgery. The best way to control it is to bite down on gauze for about an hour. Repeat every 6-10 hours as necessary after you return home.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is essential during the healing period. Rinse your mouth with recommended mouthwash at least three or four times a day, 24 hours after treatment. Your dentist will give you a recommendation. Also, keep your mouth as clean as possible.
Diet is another important factor in the healing process. Try to only eat soft foods for at least a week following the treatment. Avoid hot meals and drinks as well as hard and crunchy foods for at least a week after surgery.
Smoking and alcohol should be avoided for at least two weeks, as these can slow down the healing process. If you wear dentures that cover the affected area, you should not wear them.
Regular check-ups with your dentist are also an essential part of the recovery process. These visits allow the dentist to monitor the healing process and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Aftercare for glaucoma surgery involves careful monitoring of symptoms, adherence to aftercare instructions, and regular follow-up visits with the dentist. Following these steps can help ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.
Equipped hospitals and advanced specialized centers with experienced doctors and specialists are available in all medical treatment areas in Iran. Also, good hotels and entertainment centers have made Iran an appropriate choice for patients who suffer from glaucoma eye conditions.
Glaucoma surgery in Iran is known for its high-quality and cost-effective services. The cost of glaucoma treatment and surgery in Iran is significantly lower compared to European and North American countries.
The cost of glaucoma surgery in Iran varies depending on several factors. These include the type of treatment, the clinic and hospital fees, the specialist or surgeon’s fee, and other factors. On average, the cost of glaucoma surgery in Iran is very affordable. For instance, the cost of laser surgery for glaucoma in Iran is around 1600-2200 USD.
In conclusion, the cost of glaucoma surgery in Iran is significantly lower than in other countries, making it an attractive destination for this procedure. However, the final cost can vary depending on several factors, including the type of treatment, the clinic and hospital fees, the specialist or surgeon’s fee, and other factors.