Glaucoma Treatment in Seomyeon, Busan

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma (녹내장) is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, causing gradual loss of side vision that can progress to blindness if untreated. Raised eye pressure is the main modifiable risk factor, but damage can occur at normal pressure; normal-tension glaucoma is relatively common in East Asian populations. Lost vision cannot be restored, so early detection is crucial.

Symptoms and when to see a doctor

Open-angle glaucoma usually has no early symptoms; it is found on routine eye exams.
Risk factors include age over 40, family history, high myopia, diabetes, long-term steroid use and previous eye injury.
Acute angle-closure is an emergency: sudden severe eye pain, red eye, blurred vision, halos, headache, nausea or vomiting. Seek urgent care or call 119.

What happens at the clinic

Measurements: eye pressure, corneal thickness and angle examination (gonioscopy or imaging).
Optic nerve imaging: OCT measures the nerve fibre layer, and fundus photos record the optic disc.
Visual field test: maps peripheral vision to detect and track loss.
Treatment plan: a target pressure is set; drops are started, often one type first.
Escalation if needed: SLT laser, laser iridotomy for narrow angles, or surgery such as trabeculectomy, tube shunts or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

Treatment outlook

With consistent treatment and regular monitoring, most people with glaucoma keep useful vision for life. The key is taking drops exactly as prescribed and not skipping follow-ups, even when you feel fine.

Risks and side effects

Drops can cause redness, stinging, eyelash growth, darkening of the iris or eyelid skin, and some types can affect heart rate or breathing. Laser can cause temporary pressure spikes or inflammation. Surgery carries risks such as infection, low pressure or failure requiring further procedures.

Choosing a clinic for glaucoma care in Seomyeon

Ask whether OCT and visual field testing are done on-site and repeated at regular intervals.
Ask whether a glaucoma subspecialist is available for complex or progressing cases.
Ask what your target pressure is and how progress will be judged.
If you live abroad part of the year, ask for copies of your OCT and visual fields.
Ask the doctor to demonstrate drop technique if you are new to drops.

Living with glaucoma in Busan

Long-term monitoring suits a clinic you can reach easily. Seomyeon Station, the Line 1 and Line 2 transfer point, is convenient for regular checks.

Condition: progressive optic nerve damage, often linked to eye pressure
Common types: open-angle (including normal-tension), angle-closure
Tests: eye pressure, OCT, visual field, gonioscopy, corneal thickness
First-line treatment: pressure-lowering eye drops
Other options: SLT laser, laser iridotomy, minimally invasive or traditional surgery
Follow-up: lifelong, typically every 3–12 months
Typical NHI coverage: glaucoma diagnosis and treatment are generally NHI-covered for enrolled patients

Can glaucoma be cured?

No, but it can usually be controlled. Treatment slows or stops further optic nerve damage, though vision already lost cannot be restored.

Can I have glaucoma with normal eye pressure?

Yes. Normal-tension glaucoma damages the optic nerve despite normal pressure readings and is relatively common in East Asian populations. OCT and visual field tests detect it.

What are the symptoms of acute glaucoma?

Sudden severe eye pain, red eye, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea and vomiting. This is an emergency needing immediate care.

Do I need to use glaucoma eye drops forever?

Usually, yes, unless laser or surgery controls pressure well enough. Never stop drops without your doctor's advice, even if your eyes feel normal.

How often should glaucoma be checked?

Commonly every 3–12 months depending on severity and stability. Visual fields and OCT are repeated periodically to detect progression.

Seomyeon.Clinic