Access the expertise of an experienced glaucoma specialist in Melbourne

Glaucoma is a type of optic neuropathy, meaning a disease of the optic nerve. If left untreated, vision loss from glaucoma is progressive and any such loss from nerve damage is irreversible, even with eventual glaucoma treatment. In Melbourne there are several reputable ophthalmologists with an interest in glaucoma subspecialty, however, the typical asymptomatic nature of glaucoma often results in the delay of timely referral to an appropriate glaucoma specialist.

At a basic level, glaucoma occurs when the intraocular pressure of the eye is too high for the health of the optic nerve, causing damage and loss of nerve fibres. This level of pressure at which potential damage may occur varies between individuals and is also affected by other factors, including anatomical variations and co-existing systemic disease.

Glaucoma cases are divided into two broad categories – open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma. These classifications refer to the configuration of the iris against the cornea as the point where these two structures meet to form the drainage of fluid from within the eye, an area known as the anterior angle. The control of intraocular pressure is largely determined by the balance of fluid production to fluid drainage within the eyeball; an upset to this balance can result in an increase of pressure and subsequent glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma includes situations where the anterior angle is wide but fluid drainage is hindered for other reasons while angle-closure refers to the iris being too closely positioned to the cornea, narrowing the anterior angle and impeding fluid drainage.