Cyclodiathermia is a glaucoma operation that uses electricity. The aim of cyclodiathermy - like other surgical methods of treating glaucoma - is to reduce intraocular pressure, the excessive increase of which causes the destruction and atrophy of the optic nerve, and further blindness. What are the indications for cyclodiathermy? What is the operation?
Cyclodiathermiaunder the scleral flap is one of the operative methodsof glaucoma treatment . Cyclodiathermia - apart from cyclophotocoagulation and cyclocryotherapy - belongs to the group of cyclodestructive treatments, i.e. those aimed at reducing the production of aqueous humor, and thus - lowering intraocular pressure. It is its excessive growth that causes the destruction and atrophy of the optic nerve, which is the essence of glaucoma.
Cyclodiathermia - indications
Cyclodiathermia is one of the operative treatments for secondary glaucoma. However, it can only be done when other glaucoma treatments (e.g. pharmacological) have proved ineffective or could not be used (e.g. side effect of eye drops).
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
Cyclodiathermia - preparation for the treatment
The patient does not need to prepare for the procedure. Only a doctor should perform a number of ophthalmic examinations in advance, such as visual field examination (perimetry), measurement of intraocular pressure (tonometry), and examination of the outflow of aqueous humor from the eyeball (tonography).
Cyclodiathermia - what is it?
The operation is performed under local anesthesia. First, the doctor uses a thin electrode to pierce the sclera to reach the ciliary body. He then uses electricity to anemize (constrict) his blood vessels.
After the procedure, eye irritation may occur and the image may be blurred for some time.
Cyklodiathermia - complications
Hypotension, decreased visual acuity, and vitreous haemorrhage may occur after cyclodiathermy. It is for this reason that cyclodiathermy has been replaced by cyclocryotherapy (a low temperature is used to lower intraocular pressure). It is a safer (lower risk of complications) and predictable results of surgery.
Glaucoma - treatments for glaucoma
Depending on the severity of the disease, glaucoma can be treated with different methods. Starting from specially dedicated sets of drops to operating methods. Which treatment method brings the best results? When do we use non-surgical treatment and when is surgery necessary? Our expert, prof. Iwona Grabska-Liberek, head of the department of ophthalmology at the Clinical Hospital W. Orłowski in Warsaw.