Managing Glaucoma After Surgery

Managing Glaucoma After Surgery: Long-Term Care and Follow-Up

If your doctor has prescribed surgery to manage your glaucoma, there are important things to consider after the procedure is performed to reduce your risk of complications. Learn more about glaucoma surgery and what to expect by reaching out to your local vision specialists, Dr. Dennis Reiter of Vision Associates of El Paso in El Paso, TX.

Glaucoma Surgery

Glaucoma can cause problems with your eye's drainage system, which can lead to excess eye pressure. Excess eye pressure is one of the major risk factors for optic nerve damage.

The optic nerve connects your retina to the brain and damage to it can result in vision loss over time. Surgery is typically prescribed to improve drainage in the eye and lower eye pressure. The overall goal of surgical treatment is to prevent your vision from worsening.

Long-Term Care

How long you may take to recover depends on the surgery, as there are different types. However, most will begin to notice improvement after a few days to weeks after the procedure.

Although your doctor will provide you with a specific set of instructions, especially about what you can do and when, these are a few things to avoid after surgery.

Don't overexert, avoid bending down, lifting heavy objects, and strenuous exercises or activities.

Swimming and hot tubs should also be avoided to reduce your risk of bacterial infection, and depending on the surgery this may be a life-long suggestion.

For similar reasons, soon after surgery, don't wear eye makeup or face cream.

Follow-Up

You will have a series of appointments after surgery, with the first one taking place the day after. They are then spaced every one to three weeks for the first few months, and then less frequently in the future.

But consult with your doctor if after the surgery you experience pain in your eye, redness, discharge, or decreased vision.

Glaucoma Surgery in El Paso, TX

Explore your glaucoma treatment options, including glaucoma surgery, by scheduling a consultation in El Paso, TX, with Dr. Reiter of Vision Associates of El Paso by dialing (915) 532-3937.