As an ophthalmologist, you must make critical decisions daily for treating your patient’s eyes. These may include advising them to undergo surgery to correct their high eye pressure. Although they may be resistant, you can support your recommendation with these reasons why you should treat high eye pressure with surgery.
No Other Treatment Has Worked
One reason to treat high eye pressure with surgery is that no other option has worked for your patient. Although you prescribed them medications or performed laser procedures to treat their glaucoma, it was to no avail. They may still fear surgery but explain to them that this would be the next step to prevent their condition from worsening.
The Procedures Have a High Success Rate
You can even support your recommendation of surgery with the fact that these procedures usually have a very high success rate with patients. They often stop people from experiencing additional vision loss and, in some cases, have been able to improve their eyesight.
But remind your patients that they must come in for regular visits after the surgery to have their pressure checked. If you catch an increase, you can act fast to preserve their vision again.
The Risk of Side Effects Is Low
Your patient may have anxiety about any side effects from the surgery, including possible loss of eyesight or even the development of cataracts. Explain to them that the chances of that happening during their procedure are quite low. Loss of vision is usually only temporary, and surgery can correct cataracts.
Instead, they will likely experience some discomfort and swelling in their eyes before things return to normal. But if they do not get surgery at all, they will be taking a greater risk of losing their vision altogether.
If you are looking for ophthalmic supply companies that will provide products to help you determine your patients’ eye pressure, contact Automated Ophthalmics. We offer tonometer tip covers and other products to help you monitor and treat your patients’ eyesight.