Glaucoma is a group of diseases which cause significant damage to the optic nerve, resulting in a permanent loss of vision.

The most common type of glaucoma is open angle glaucoma. It tends to progress very slowly, and at the early stages of the disease, there will not be any noticeable symptoms for most people.

As the disease progresses, patients will find that there will be a loss of the peripheral (or side) vision and in the latter stages of the disease (if left untreated) this will lead to a loss of central vision.

Given that there are no visible symptoms, or warning signs, in the early stages of the disease, up to 50% of the Australian population that has glaucoma, remains undiagnosed.

Dr Karagiannis uses the latest diagnostic equipment for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.

Upon diagnosis of glaucoma, Dr Karagiannis will discuss the various treatment options that are available including:

• Drops
• SLT (selective laser trabeculoplasty)SLT is an alternative treatment to reduce raised intraocular pressures caused by glaucoma, when drops have failed to reduce the pressure adequately. SLT uses short pulses of a low energy laser light directed at the drainage system in your eye called the trabecular framework to open up the drainage system.
• Surgery – Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery or (MIGS)

For further information about Glaucoma please go to Glaucoma Australia website.