What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for vision. This damage is often caused by high pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). The eye pressure builds up due to poor drainage of a fluid called aqueous humour, which usually helps nourish the eye.
Types of Glaucoma
1. Open-Angle Glaucoma: This type has few symptoms until significant damage has occurred. It is usually found during routine eye exams.
2. Closed-Angle Glaucoma: This type causes sudden pain in the eye, headaches, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. It can come on suddenly or develop slowly over time.
How Do I Know If I Have Glaucoma?
Most types of glaucoma cause a painless and gradual loss of vision, which can go unnoticed. Regular eye exams are crucial, especially if you have a family history of glaucoma. One type, called angle-closure glaucoma, can cause red, painful eyes, blurred vision, and even nausea and vomiting. Early detection through eye exams can help prevent severe damage.
Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?
1. People over 40 years old.
2. Those with a family history of glaucoma.
3. Steroid users.
4. People with previous eye injuries.
5. Those with high eye pressure (ocular hypertension).
6. People with farsightedness (hypermetropia).
7. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid issues.
How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose glaucoma by checking for optic nerve damage or loss of vision. Tests may include:
- Tonometry: Measures eye pressure.
- Pachymetry: Measures the thickness of the cornea.
- Visual Field Testing: Maps out the visual field to detect any vision loss.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina, detecting glaucoma early and measuring the angle of the eye's front chamber.
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
1. Eye Drops: These reduce eye pressure and need to be used regularly. They are safe for long-term use but require regular check-ups to ensure they are effective.
2. Laser Treatment: Yag laser iridotomy creates a new opening in the iris to help fluid
drain, which can be effective for angle-closure glaucoma
3. Surgery: Trabeculectomy surgery creates a new drainage channel for eye fluid. It is
usually performed for advanced glaucoma when eye drops are not enough. The surgery may need to be repeated, or eye drops may still be required.
All treatments for glaucoma aim to control the disease and prevent further damage. They
cannot reverse the damage already done to the optic nerve.