Successful Microshunt Surgery Provides Relief for Woman with Severe Glaucoma

A woman suffering from uncontrolled glaucoma found significant relief after undergoing a microshunt surgery, which successfully lowered her eye pressure and eased chronic pain. This minimally invasive procedure was performed by Dr. Boopathy Murugan at Apollo Hospitals in Dubai.

Glaucoma, often termed the 'silent thief of sight', can lead to gradual vision loss without noticeable symptoms at first. In severe cases like neovascular glaucoma—caused by conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or blocked blood vessels (retinal vein occlusion)—traditional surgical options are riskier and frequently fail due to scarring.

The patient had been managing her condition with eye drops but experienced dangerously high eye pressure levels of 50 mmHG, causing severe pain and increasing the risk of vision loss. The microshunt procedure involved implanting a small device to improve fluid drainage from the eye, effectively reducing intraocular pressure and safeguarding the optic nerve.

Dr. Murugan noted that neovascular glaucoma is challenging to treat but explained how the microshunt surgery offers a safer and more effective alternative compared to traditional surgeries like trabeculectomy. The procedure has lower complication risks, higher success rates, quicker recovery times, and minimal downtime.

The patient expressed gratitude for the care she received during her treatment journey. "I am truly thankful for the exceptional care I received," she said. "Dr. Boopathy and his team were supportive throughout the process. This surgery has freed me from chronic pain."

Glaucoma primarily affects older adults, with those over 60 being six times more likely to develop it. However, this case highlights how advancements in medical procedures like microshunt implantation are improving treatment outcomes for patients with advanced glaucoma.