Cyclophotocoagulation For Glaucoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Cyclophotocoagulation (cy-klo-fo-toe-co-ag-u-LA-shun) is a type of laser surgery used to help control glaucoma (glaw-KO-muh). This surgery is done for people who already have eye damage caused by glaucoma. It may be done when medicines and other surgeries have not helped control your glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease. A clear fluid flows through passages inside your eye all the time. With glaucoma, these passages get clogged or blocked. When this happens, fluid in your eye builds up and causes too much pressure inside the eye. Too much pressure against the optic nerve can lead to damage and loss of your vision (sight).
  
  
• During surgery, your doctor will point a laser at the white part of your eye (sclera). The laser will go through the sclera to the ciliary (SIL-e-air-e) body. The ciliary body is the part of the eye that makes eye fluid. The laser damages parts of the ciliary body so that it will make less eye fluid. This surgery is usually done at a doctor's office or outpatient surgery clinic. Your eyes may feel sore and swollen after surgery, but that should go away in 1 to 2 weeks. You may also have blurred vision as your eyes heal. You may need this surgery more than once to get the ciliary body to make less eye fluid.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Use medicines to help your eyes heal after surgery. Eyedrops are important for healing after surgery. You may be given eye drops or pills for the following reasons:
  
  
  • To treat redness, pain, and swelling.
    
    
  • To decrease eye pressure.
    
    
  • To prevent infection (in-FECK-shun).
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by your doctor. Take it every day at the right times. Do not quit taking it unless your doctor tells you to. If you are having too many side effects, call your doctor. Without medicine, glaucoma can slowly damage your vision without your knowing about it and may cause blindness.
  
  
• Tell all your caregivers about your glaucoma and treatment. Tell all your caregivers about your glaucoma and treatment. Keep a written list of what medicines you are taking and when you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles every time you go to a caregiver. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask for information about your medicines.
  
  
• Always bring your eye drops and medicines when you visit your eye doctor. Tell your eye doctor if you have started taking new medicines or eye drops given to you by another caregiver. Some medicines may cause the pressure inside your eyes to increase. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

When is my next medical appointment?

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

How can I care for my eyes at home?

• Ask your caregiver when you can remove the eye patch.
  
  
• Do not smoke. Stay away from others who smoke.
  
  
• Wash your hands carefully before touching your eyes or using eyedrops. Do not let the tip of your eye dropper touch your eye or eyelid.
  
  
• Do not wear eye make-up for 1 week after surgery.
  
  
• Wear sunglasses in the daytime to protect your eyes.

When can I resume my normal activities?

• You may take a shower or bath the day after surgery. Gently shut your eyes if water gets in them, but do not rub them.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver when you can start doing your usual activities again.

Avoid doing these things after surgery:

The following activities could increase the pressure in your eyes. Ask your caregiver when you can start doing these activities again.

• Do not do heavy exercise workouts like running or skiing. Avoid contact sports like football or basketball.
  
  
• Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds.
  
  
• Do not get in swimming pools or hot tubs.
  
  
• Try not to sneeze or cough.
  
  
• Try not to bend over at the waist for 1 to 2 days after surgery. Instead, bend your knees and squat down. Use a chair or the counter to help you stand up again.

What can I do each day to keep from increasing my eye pressure?

• Do not wear tight clothing around your neck or chest.
  
  
• Try not to strain while having a bowel movement (BM).
  
  
• Do not push or lift heavy things.
  
  
• While regular exercise is important, do not do hard exercise such as snow shoveling.
  
  
• Avoid becoming very upset. These emotions may be fear, feeling anxious, and worrying too much.
  
  
• Stay away from people with a cold or the flu. Catching these illnesses can make you sneeze and cough.

How can I prevent accidents or falls if I have lost some or all of my side vision?

• Learn to turn your head from side to side to see what is around you.
  
  
• Remove electrical cords, loose rugs, or other items that are on the floor.
  
  
• Put bright lights in your hallways and stairways. Put a night light in the bathroom.
  
  
• Be aware that you may have a harder time seeing at dusk, night, or in poorly lighted areas.
  
  
• Do not drive at night if you have problems seeing. Ask a friend or family member to take you to the places you need to go.
  
  
• Wear yellow, amber, or brown tinted sunglasses. Decide which color helps you to see the best in bright sunlight or glare.

Wear a medical bracelet or tag:

If you are hospitalized for another health problem, ask your hospital caregiver to call your eye doctor. Also, wear a medical bracelet or tag. This will tell others about your glaucoma in case of an emergency. Contact the following organization for information:

• Medicalert Foundation
  2323 COLORADO AVENUE
  TURLOCK , CA 95382
  Phone: 1- 209 - 6683333
  Phone: 1- 888 - 633-4298
  

Support:

Having glaucoma can be life-changing for you. It may make you feel sad, afraid, or angry. You may want to find a support group. In a support group, you can talk about your feelings with others who have glaucoma. You can learn how others cope with the glaucoma and vision loss. Contact the following organizations for more information about support groups and glaucoma:

• Glaucoma Research Foundation
  251 Post St, Ste 600
  San Francisco , CA 94108
  Phone: 1- 415 - 986-3162
  Web Address: http://www.glaucoma.org
  

• International Glaucoma Association
  15 Highpoint Business Village
  Henwood Ashford, Kent , TN24 8DH
  Web Address: http://www.iga.org.uk
  

• The Glaucoma Foundation
  80 Maiden Lane, Ste 1206
  New York City , NY 10038
  Phone: 1- 212 - 285-0080
  Web Address: www.glaucomafoundation.org
  

• Prevent Blindness America
  211 W. Wacker Dr, Ste 1700
  Chicago , IL 60606
  Phone: 1- 800 - 331-2020
  Web Address: www.preventblindness.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have redness and swelling that gets worse over time.
  
  
• You have a lot of yellow eye drainage.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have very bad eye pain
  
  
• Your vision suddenly becomes worse.
  
  
• You cannot see at all.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Cyclophotocoagulation For Glaucoma (Discharge Care)