Glaucoma Treatment in Italian Eye Hospital

Italian Eye Hospital in Prishtina, Kosovo, provides professional glaucoma treatment led by a specialist team with affiliation to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Medical options include diagnostic tonometry for around $10, laser trabeculoplasty typically costing $200–$400, and advanced surgical interventions like trabeculectomy for about $900. The facility treats 15,000+ patients annually and features two hospital locations equipped with modern surgical operating rooms.

Expert glaucoma care

Treatment at the hospital is led by Prof. Assoc. Dr. Qëndresë Daka, an ophthalmologist with over 15 years of experience. Prof. Assoc. Dr. Daka holds a PhD and is a Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO). She completed an EGS glaucoma fellowship and serves as a member of the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group. As a lead organizer of Glaucoma Week in Kosovo, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Daka brings recognized expertise to both medical and surgical management of the disease.

Diagnostics and examinations

The hospital offers a complete range of tests to monitor intraocular pressure and optic nerve health. Patients receive a personalized plan based on detailed imaging and functional tests. Available diagnostics include:

• Tonometry. Measurement of eye pressure may cost around $10.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT). High-resolution imaging of the optic nerve typically runs $60.
• Perimetry. Visual field testing is around $50.
• Glaucoma examination. A specialized evaluation costs about $110.
• Corneal pachymetry. Measurement of corneal thickness runs around $60.
• Neuro-ophthalmic examination. Expert assessment may cost between $110 and $200.

Laser and surgical treatment options

When medication therapy is not enough to control eye pressure, the hospital uses various laser and surgical techniques. These procedures aim to improve fluid drainage or reduce fluid production in the eye.

• Laser trabeculoplasty. A common procedure for open-angle glaucoma may cost around $200–$400.
• Trabeculectomy (TTR). This fistulizing surgery creates a new drainage pathway and costs around $900.
• Ahmed valve implant. Shunt surgery for complex cases typically runs $1,600.
• Trabeculotomy. Often used for congenital cases, this surgery costs around $1,700–$2,800.
• YAG laser iridotomy. A procedure for narrow-angle glaucoma costing about $170.
• Cyclocryotherapy. A method used when other treatments fail, costing around $340.

The clinic also provides modern surgical alternatives such as canaloplasty and deep sclerectomy. These methods focus on restoring the natural outflow of the eye with a focus on safety. Patients can request a consultation through Bookimed to determine which surgical or medical approach fits their specific condition.