Glaucoma Unit

Glaucoma is the single largest chronic eye disease managed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital .

Three glaucoma sub-specialist consultants and three general ophthalmologists attend to the longterm management of this potentially blinding disease. Although largely managed with good longterm outlook with eyedrops alone some patients will require laser or surgery. The more advanced surgical procedures such as revision glaucoma filters, tube implants and ciliary body ablations are attended to by these sub-specialising consultants, Assoc. Prof. Robert Casson, Dr Anna Galanopoulos and Dr Mark Chehade.

Although of diverse causes all glaucomas are manifest as progressive loss of structure and function of the optic nerve. Usually but not always is this associated with high intraocular pressure.

Until the disease becomes advanced the patient with glaucoma may not be aware that they have this condition. At early and moderate levels of advancement the disease is only detectable by a trained eye health care professional. All glaucoma is managed by ophthalmologists. If appropriately managed only a small number will become visually incapacitated by this disease.