Definition

The Glaucoma Operating Unit specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with all forms of primary and secondary glaucoma, patients with suspected glaucoma, and those at risk of developing the disease.

Pathologies

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts and the primary cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is estimated that currently, around 80 million people worldwide suffer from glaucoma, with more than 8 million already bilaterally blind. Projections estimate a global number of individuals affected by glaucoma to reach approximately 112 million by 2040.

Despite these figures, the pathogenesis of glaucoma remains largely uncharacterized, the diagnosis is often late and incidental, and current therapies can only partially stabilize or slow the progression of visual impairment.

The diagnosis of glaucoma is often delayed due to the paucity of symptoms in the early stages of the disease and the limitations of the diagnostic tools available.

Activities

Patients can attend the clinic for initial ophthalmic consultations (booked through the CUP) or follow-up ophthalmic visits (booked through the Bietti Foundation).

The ophthalmic consultation includes:

• Measurement of visual acuity for distance and near vision,
• Tonometry (measurement of intraocular pressure) with the Goldmann Applanation Tonometer,
• Gonioscopy to study the irido-corneal angle,
• Fundus examination for the evaluation of the optic nerve head, macula, and retina.

At the Glaucoma Operating Unit, patients can also undergo:

• Tonometer curve testing, consisting of repeated measurements of eye pressure throughout the day at two-hour intervals (8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM),
• Instrumental tests, such as computerized visual field testing to study optic nerve function, optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the morphological analysis of the optic nerve fibers, and pachymetry (measurement of corneal thickness).

Additionally, the Glaucoma Operating Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art laser technology for performing:

• Iridotomy, a treatment indicated for narrow-angle glaucoma,
• Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), a parachirurgical treatment for patients with poor pressure control despite hypotensive medical therapy.

When necessary, patients can undergo:

• Traditional surgical treatments, such as trabeculectomy and implantation of drainage devices,
• Next-generation procedures, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS),
• Cyclophotocoagulation using diode lasers.