HMC offers advanced treatment methods for glaucoma

Advanced diagnostic procedures and treatment methods available at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have helped improve lives of people with glaucoma.

Glaucoma first affects the peripheral or side vision and progresses to the central vision but with early diagnosis and treatment, the irreversible damage caused by glaucoma may be limited and sight may be saved, said Dr. Zakia Al Ansari, Ophthalmology Consultant and Head of Glaucoma Unit at HMC. 

“We are receiving more than 500 patients with different types of glaucoma monthly in ophthalmology department at HMC. Early detection and careful lifelong treatment can maintain vision in most people and it’s the best preventive method from blindness,” Dr. Al Ansari told The Peninsula.

“We have sophisticated imaging technology and various diagnostic procedures to help detect glaucoma and different modality of treatment. While technology is important when it comes to correctly diagnosing glaucoma, early detection through routine eye checkups is the key to control the disease and prevent blindness which is irreversible,” she added. 

According to Dr. Al Ansari, at present HMC offers different types of eye drops, laser treatment and surgeries to treat people with glaucoma.  

“People with glaucoma require lifelong treatment to maintain their vision. If left untreated, the disease can lead to complete blindness,” she said. 

“We offer different types of laser and various types of surgeries which continue to evolve rapidly from traditional methods used in controlling the eye pressure,” she added. 

Dr. Al Ansari advises individuals above 40 years of age to do routine eye checkup once a year.

The World Glaucoma Week is marked across the world from March 7 to 13. World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) in order to raise awareness on glaucoma. 

Through a series of engaging worldwide activities, patients, eye-care providers, health officials and the general public are invited to contribute to sight preservation. The goal is to alert everyone to have regular eye (and optic nerve) checks in order to detect glaucoma as early as possible.