Surgery to treat glaucoma a better option to taking medication – Experts advise
Glaucoma is a group of diseases hat result in damage to the optic nerve.
It is an irreversible eye defect that can cause blindness if not detected early.
That is because the optic nerve is the powerhouse or cord of the eye that connects the eyeball to the brain.
Senior Specialist in Ophthalmology at the Emmanuel Eye Clinic, Dr. Akosuah Mensa-Bonsu says among the numerous treatment options, surgery is one option she would recommend, especially for individuals who do not have the financial capacity.
According to her, treatment with drugs are expensive, which means having to purchase them on a regular basis may be financially draining.
Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, the expert explained that Ghana currently conducts all the various eye surgeries which are effective.
“We have all the Glaucoma surgeries available in Ghana here, there are laser surgeries for early glaucoma, there are laser surgeries for late glaucoma as well, and there are the medical treatments also available,”
“Currently, the problem with the medical treatment is the cost of the medication, the drugs are expensive so we are trying to advocate more people to do surgeries, if you do the surgeriy, the pressures are controlled,”
“And you can at least buy some ten years of no medication or maybe very little medication with the surgery, the surgery is a way out if you can’t afford your medications and the surgeries work very well, we do a lot of Glaucoma surgeries and people are happy with it,” she advised.
Also on the same show was the President of the Ophthalmologist Society of Ghana, Dr. Dziffa-Bella Ofori-Adjei. She agreed with her colleague and added that having the surgery done is also more convenient.
She explained that resorting to the medications would require the patient to carry the drugs wherever they go and that can get uncomfortable sometimes.
Dr. Ofori-Adjei explained that the patient must also remember to use the drugs regularly and there is a possibility of forgetfulness while the surgery would take away all such inconveniences.
“And to add to that, even when you can afford the medication you have to put it on your eye every day, so imagine if you’re going for a funeral at a far distance, you have to remember to take your glaucoma medications along with you,” the Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist explained.
“However when you do the surgery, you don’t have to worry about the eye pressures, because the surgery keeps the pressure down all the time so whether you’re in Ghana or you’re going to South Africa, you don’t need to carry your medicine along and you’re assured that your pressures are low.”
“Anytime the pressures go up it damages the nerve, and remember we said the damage is irreversible so every little bit counts, because every time a little of it gets damaged, the cumulative effect later on is going to be poor vision,” she added.
Both ophthalmologists advised individuals to go for routine checkups on their eye because Glaucoma is asymptomatic (has no symptoms) and late detection can be detrimental.
They added that all forms of treatment modalities for Glaucoma are available in Ghana therefore individuals should be assured to get help once they visit the eye clinic.
Source: Ghana News
