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                                    Supporting you 59effect to approximately one eye drop. This does mean that some people who would have needed glaucoma eye drops before their cataract surgery, are able to be drop free after they have recovered from surgery. Cataract surgery can also be used to treat Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG). PACG is less common than POAG in the UK, but is more common in Asian populations and in Greenland. PACG can be caused by a thicker lens in the eye. The thicker lens can touch on the iris, blocking the flow of fluid to the front of the eye and making the natural drainage channel narrower. Traditionally PACG has been treated using a laser iridotomy. During this procedure, a laser is used to create a tiny hole in the iris, making a new path for the fluid to flow through, and helping the iris to flatten. An alternative to laser iridotomy is to have cataract surgery. This can be done even before a cataract has formed and is called a clear lens extraction. The surgery replaces the thick natural lens, with a thinner plastic one. A big, randomised control trial looked at whether laser iridotomy or cataract surgery were most effective at treating PACG. The trial found that, in comparison to a group who had been treated with laser iridotomy, those who had cataract surgery had:%u2022 Lower eye pressure three years after surgery%u2022 Better quality of vision%u2022 Needed fewer glaucoma eye drops%u2022 Needed less additional surgery%u2022 Less need for high prescription glassesIn summary, there can be challenges for people with glaucoma if they develop cataracts. However, there can also be If you would like to watch the full DGSG, the recording can be found in our library of previous sessions at glaucoma.uk/support-groupsbenefits from having cataract surgery for your glaucoma. This will depend on many things, including how advanced your glaucoma is, what treatments you have already had and what type of glaucoma you have. If you are developing cataracts, or even if you aren%u2019t yet, it is worth having a conversation with your eye specialist to find out what this might mean for you. Our helpline is also always here if you have any concerns, and can be reached by emailing helpline@glaucoma.uk or calling 01233 648 170.
                                
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