If the eye becomes inflamed, anti-inflammatory eye drops may be required. If the pterygium continues to grow and threatens vision, or becomes cosmetically unacceptable, it can be surgically removed.

The autograft technique, in which conjunctival tissue is harvested from a healthy area and grafted into the defect left after removal of the pterygium, is most commonly used. The graft can be held in place by stitches or a tissue glue (TISSEEL).

Pterygium Surgery (Keratectomy) – Post-Operative Eye Care

• Leave the eye patch on overnight
• Start the drops on the first morning post-operatively, four times a day for one month
• Generally this is a painful procedure and the eye could be uncomfortable for about a month
• Do not swim for one month post-operatively and avoid rubbing the operated eye
• Wear a protective shield over the eye while sleeping

If you have any queries, please contact my rooms on 033 342 5433

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Surgery is the only treatment option for cataracts. The operation is performed under local anaesthetic as an in-hospital day procedure and involves removing the cloudy lens from the eye.

Cataract surgery is done through a self-sealing micro-incision with a high-frequency ultrasound probe called phacoemulsification. The phaco machine breaks the lens up into fragments and vacuums and removes these fragments out of the eye.

The cloudy lens which has been removed is then replaced with an intraocular lens implant.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful medical procedures performed worldwide. The operation is painless and quick, usually taking just 20 minutes to perform.

The patient returns home the same day and can expect fairly rapid improvement in vision over the course of a few days.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataract_surgery

Cataract Surgery – Post-Operative Eye Care

• Start using drops when you return home after your op. Apply drops four times a day until finished.
• When putting drops in the eye, start with Tobradex, then, after two minutes, apply Acular.
• When going to bed, cover eye with the plastic shield for the first week after operation.
• Avoid exercise for the first week after operation.
• For the first month after operation, keep eye dry at all times, especially when taking a shower or washing hair.
• Do NOT rub the eye post op.
• If your eye gets very painful or red contact Dr Harrison immediately.

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The condition usually affects both eyes, but fortunately, patients with progressive keratoconus can be treated and stabilised by means of corneal cross-linking, a simple, effective and relatively inexpensive technique to arrest its progression.

Prior to the procedure, patients require a corneal scan to determine whether the eye is suitable for cross-linking, an office procedure during which riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops are applied to the cornea and then activated by ultraviolet light to “crosslink” or strengthen the structural corneal collagen proteins which are weakened in keratoconus.

Some studies have even found that corneal crosslinking can even reverse some of the changes of keratoconus resulting in improved visual function.

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The type of surgery recommended will depend on the type and severity of the glaucoma. Surgery can help lower pressure when medication alone is not sufficient. It does not, however, reverse visual loss.

Laser Surgery (Laser Trabeculoplasty)

Laser surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure either before medication is started or when medication fails to achieve the desired control of eye pressure.

Laser surgery is used to modify the eye’s trabecular meshwork (the eye’s drainage system), which helps increase the flow of fluid out of the eye and reduce eye pressure.

It has the advantage of being safe, effective and painless.

Filtering Surgery

When medications and laser surgery do not sufficiently lower eye pressure, filtering microsurgery may be recommended. This involves creating a tiny drainage fistula in the eye.

This opening allows the intraocular fluid to bypass the clogged drainage canals and flow through a newly created drainage canal, using either the eye’s natural tissues (trabeculectomy) or sometimes an implanted artificial drainage device.

Glaucoma surgery requires admission to hospital as a day case procedure and may need to be repeated to achieve the desired result.

Following glaucoma surgery regular follow-ups and strict adherence to the post-operative drop routine is vital for success.

Links: www.glaucoma.org

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Diabetic retinopathy is when the small blood vessels at the back of the eye start to leak or become blocked, and if it’s not detected early, it can cause blindness.

Tight control of diabetes can reduce the risk of retinopathy by 60% in type I (insulin dependent) and 40% in type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, and will also reduce the risk of other diabetic complications.

When people first develop diabetic retinopathy they exhibit no symptoms, but, if diagnosed at this early stage, it is a treatable condition, which is why it’s important for diabetics to have regular eye tests.

People with diabetes should have an eye examination at diagnosis and thereafter, on a yearly basis by their ophthalmologist.

Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation (Laser)

Laser photocoagulation uses the heat from a laser to seal or destroy abnormal, leaking blood vessels in the retina. The ophthalmologist may make hundreds of laser burns on the retina to stop the blood vessels from growing. Patients may need two or more treatment sessions, which are done as an outpatient procedure.

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