What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease in which fluid pressure within the eye rises. The condition damages the optic nerve; the optic nerve sends visual information from the eye to the brain. The nerve transmits every bit of information from the eye to your brain. Damage to the nerve can result in vision loss or even blindness in one or both eyes; typically, initial damage from it affects one’s peripheral vision first resulting in “tunnel vision”. The damage is irreversible and is the leading cause of blindness.
Damage to the nerve is typically caused by increased pressure, also known as intraocular pressure. This disease damages the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness, that can develop in one or both eyes. However, with early detection and treatment, eye protection against serious vision loss is possible, since glaucoma becomes worse over time.
Unfortunately, there are no early symptoms or pain of glaucoma and vision loss occurs gradually over time, and once vision is lost, there is no replacing it. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, especially people with a family history. It’s critical to see your eye doctor regularly so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs.
Types of Glaucoma
Glaucoma comes in three major types: open-angle (chronic), angle-closure (acute), and congenital.
Open-Angle glaucoma is the most common form. There are typically no early warning signs; the only sign is gradual vision loss. This is when the pressure in the eye continues to slowly build over time changing the optic nerve due to the pressure pushing against the nerve.
Angle-closure glaucoma is quick, severe and painful with the rise of pressure in the eye. If angle-closure is detected in one eye, there is also a risk for obtaining it in the other eye.
Congenital glaucoma is often hereditary and is detected slightly after birth; this type is caused by abnormal eye development.
Glaucoma Treatment Options
Detecting glaucoma early on helps delay the progression of the disease. Immediate treatment can help protect the eyes against blindness. Thorough eye examinations are necessary for the detection of the eye disease. A tonometry test is given to measure eye pressure; how
ever, eye pressure constantly changes and some glaucoma patients present with normal eye pressure.
Treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these. These treatments don’t improve any vision loss from glaucoma; however, they can help save remaining vision.
Most frequent medicines include eye drops or pills. Taken regularly, these eye drops can lower eye pressure, cause the eye to make less fluid or help fluid drain from the eye.
Laser trabeculoplasty is a procedure that helps make fluid flow easier and helps decrease pressure in the eye. A high-intensity beam of light is aimed through a lens and is reflected into the eye. The laser makes several evenly spaced burns that stretch the drainage holes in the meshwork of the eye allowing the fluid to drain more efficiently.
Conventional surgery creates a new opening for the fluid to leave the eye. This procedure is called a trabeculectomy. During the procedure, a small piece of tissue is removed to create a new channel for the fluid to drain from the eye. This fluid will drain between the eye tissue layers.
Getting yearly exams is highly encouraged. Screening is the best first step in managing the eye condition. Eye exams are highly recommended for adults before the age of 40, especially if they have any risk factors, such as family history or any eye problems. Along with having annual eye exams, it’s very important to live a healthy lifestyle.
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Source: National Eye Institute