Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve where the eye transmits visual information to the brain, often without any particular symptom, hence its nickname of "vision thief". You will find all the details in these two videos.

There are several types of glaucoma. The most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma, which is caused by a blockage or malfunction of the drainage system of the eye. Normally, this system allows excess aqueous humour (the fluid that helps nourish the inside of the eye) to drain away.

If the fluid inside the eye cannot drain away, the intraocular pressure increases continuously and thus causes damage to the sensitive optic nerve. The resulting progressive loss of vision can eventually lead to complete blindness if left untreated. This type of glaucoma is virtually symptomless.

In the early stages of the disease, eye drops or specific medications are used to reduce the pressure and prevent irreversible damage to the eye.

The alternative is the creation of an outlet channel for the drainage of the eye, which can be created by a microsurgical procedure or by a laser intervention.

In some cases of glaucoma, treatment with eye drops may be insufficient or poorly tolerated. In these situations, laser treatments (selective trabeculoplasty, iridotomy) may be considered.

Glaucoma filtering surgery is a group of surgical techniques whose aim is to lower the intraocular pressure and thus reduce the risk of glaucoma progression in the long term.

In practice, the aim of the surgery is to create communication between the front and back of the eye in a controlled manner to minimise intraocular pressure.