Detect Glaucoma Early to Avoid Irreversible Blindness
Did You Know? Glaucoma Is One of the Leading Causes of Irreversible Blindness Worldwide Yet many people are unaware they have it
Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases and a leading cause of permanent vision loss. While various treatments exist, for patients whose intraocular pressure (IOP) cannot be controlled with medications or laser therapy, surgery becomes a vital option to prevent further vision loss.
Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and can affect people of all ages. It is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, leading to permanent loss of visual field and vision.
Major Risk Factors for Glaucoma
The most significant risk factor for glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which may occur naturally due to age-related changes in the eye or as a result of external factors such as medication use, surgery, injury, or underlying health conditions.
Glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making regular eye check-ups essential. Once warning signs appear, immediate consultation with an eye specialist is crucial—delayed treatment may lead to irreversible vision loss.
Current Treatment Options
The standard treatments for glaucoma include:
- Eye drops to lower intraocular pressure
- Laser procedures to improve fluid drainage
However, when these methods fail to adequately control IOP, surgical intervention is required to prevent severe and permanent vision loss.
Conventional Glaucoma Surgery and Its Limitations
The traditional surgical approach for glaucoma is trabeculectomy, a procedure that creates a new drainage pathway for eye fluid through a large incision. Although it is effective in reducing intraocular pressure, it carries certain risks, such as excessively low IOP and postoperative scarring, which can lead to complications and affect the patient’s quality of life.
PreserFlo MicroShunt – A Safer, Minimally Invasive Alternative
Advancements in medical technology have introduced Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), which reduces risks and promotes faster recovery. Among these, the PreserFlo MicroShunt stands out.
This tiny device is smaller than an eyelash (8.5 mm long) and made from a special medical-grade material called SIBS, designed to resist degradation, minimize inflammation, and avoid triggering immune reactions.
How PreserFlo MicroShunt Works
The PreserFlo MicroShunt is implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye through a small incision. Its angled tip and tiny fins help secure it in place, allowing fluid to safely drain beneath the conjunctiva at the back of the eye.
The key advantage is its ability to regulate fluid outflow precisely, lowering IOP without the excessive pressure drop often seen with traditional surgery.
Benefits of PreserFlo MicroShunt
- Reduces or eliminates long-term reliance on multiple glaucoma medications
- Lowers the risk of post-surgical complications
- Enables faster recovery and a quicker return to daily activities
- Can be combined with cataract surgery for patients who have both conditions
Who is Suitable for This Treatment?
This technology is most appropriate for patients with open-angle glaucoma, ranging from early to moderate stages—especially those whose IOP cannot be controlled with medication or laser therapy, or those who have allergies or limitations to using eye drops.
A New Hope for Glaucoma Patients
PreserFlo MicroShunt represents a significant advancement in glaucoma treatment—offering greater safety, reduced dependence on medications, and longer-lasting vision preservation. With early detection and timely treatment, the risk of permanent vision loss can be greatly reduced.
For more information, please contact
Eye Center, Vejthani International Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000 Ext. 3260, 3264
English Hotline: (+66)85-223-8888
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