PGBO 2024 | Experts discuss that refractory glaucoma is not difficult to treat

In the new progress section of cataract and glaucoma, Huashan Huashan, director of the Department of Glaucoma Ophthalmology of our hospital, was invited to attend the conference and shared in depth with his profound professional heritage and unique clinical experience on the early efficacy observation of ultrasound cycloplasty (UCP) in difficult glaucoma patients.

So, in this academic feast, what are the "early efficacy observations of difficult glaucoma patients" worth in-depth understanding and discussion? As a professional "academic porter", Xiao Ai will take you to find out.

Member of the Glaucoma Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Guangdong Medical Association and deputy leader of the Glaucoma Cataract Group of Aier Group in Guangdong Province, revealed to us how to protect the "only" precious visual function in the face of glaucoma, the "thief" of vision.

Glaucoma Guardian Secrets

As an irreversible blinding eye disease, early detection and early treatment are crucial. Director Hua Shan emphasized that for difficult glaucoma patients, traditional treatment methods may face many challenges, and pharmacic cycloplasty (UCP), as an innovative treatment, is gradually showing its unique advantages in regulating intraocular pressure and protecting visual function.

What glaucoma patients is UCP suitable for?

UCP pharmacocycloplasty is used for a wide range of indications for patients with various types of glaucoma, including:

- Primary open-angle glaucoma: The aqueous humor drainage channel gradually becomes blocked, leading to increased intraocular pressure.

- Primary angle-closure glaucoma: Due to abnormal eyeball structure, the aqueous humor drainage channel is narrowed or occluded, resulting in a sharp increase in intraocular pressure.

- Secondary glaucoma: such as neovascular glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma, post-corneal transplant glaucoma, etc.

- It is not advisable to wear medication if there are fertility requirements; Poor ocular surface conditions preclude long-term use of topical intraocular antihypertensive drugs.

- Patients who have not been able to effectively control intraocular pressure after multiple anti-glaucoma surgical treatments.

How does UCP lower IOP?

UCP ultrasound ciliary plasty uses a miniature high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device to act highly selectively on the ciliary body to achieve a mild, controllable, and stable intraocular pressure lowering effect. Its principle of action mainly includes two aspects:

Reduced aqueous humor production: UCP can precisely act on ciliary epithelial cells, reducing the production of aqueous humor through ultrasonic thermal effects, thereby reducing intraocular pressure.

Increase aqueous humor outflow: At the same time, UCP can also open the local choroidal scleral channel, increase the outflow of aqueous humor, and further reduce intraocular pressure.

This dual-effect antihypertensive mechanism gives UCP significant advantages in glaucoma treatment, especially for patients who do not respond well to traditional drugs or surgical treatments, UCP provides a new option.

Regular physical examinations: Especially for people with a family history of glaucoma, regular eye examinations should be performed for early detection and early intervention.

Treat according to doctor's instructions: Once diagnosed, it is important to strictly follow the doctor's guidance, whether it is medication or surgical options.

Lifestyle adjustments: Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, eating a reasonable diet, and exercising moderately, can help slow the progression of the disease.

Mood management: Mood swings can worsen glaucoma symptoms, learn to regulate emotions and maintain an optimistic attitude.

On the stage of PGBO·2024, Director Huashan of Dongguan Aier not only conveyed the latest progress in glaucoma treatment, but also conveyed his deep care for the visual health of every patient.

In October this year, Dongguan Aier officially established a "regional difficult glaucoma diagnosis and treatment base" focusing on glaucoma patients. For glaucoma patients facing complex treatment problems, we provide a full range of personalized diagnosis and treatment solutions. The establishment of this platform has prompted us to continue to conduct in-depth research on the diagnosis and treatment of difficult glaucoma.

Recently, Dongguan Aier has innovatively carried out glaucoma surgery (MIGS), minimally invasive combined cataract surgery, drainage valve or implant surgery, UCP ultrasound cycloplasty, micropulsed laser transscleral laser therapy, etc., further enriching the treatment methods. In addition, the introduction of UCP ultrasound cycloplasty marks a major innovation in glaucoma treatment technology in Dongguan and brings a new dawn to the majority of glaucoma patients.

We know that early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial for glaucoma patients, so we have established the "Glaucoma Patient Home" and set up the 6th of each month as "Glaucoma Care Day", and regularly hold popular science education activities to popularize glaucoma knowledge and enhance self-care awareness to patients and their families, so as to reduce the prevalence and risk of blindness.

In the future, we will continue to uphold the principle of patient first, walk with EYE, provide glaucoma patients with accurate diagnosis and treatment and all-round management services covering the whole course of the disease and the whole life cycle, and jointly protect every inch of precious vision.