GLAUCOMA
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition where the eye pressure rises due to various causes and leads to damage to the optic nerve.This result in visual field defects and may be completely symptomless,but may present sometime with headache,haloes,visual blurring and ultimately blindless.
Glaucoma a leading cause of blindness in the world, especially for older people. However visual loss is preventable or stabilized with early diagnosis and treatment. Glaucoma is a condition of the eye where there is a rise in the pressure inside the eye (intra ocular pressure or IOP). If left untreated it could result in optic nerve damage and irreversible vision loss.
The optic nerve carries images to the brain, which are then perceived as vision. Nerve fibres from various parts of the retina join to form the optic nerve. Glaucoma results when the pressure within the eye is high enough to be detrimental to the normal functioning of these nerve fibres, some of which stop functioning. Non-functional nerve fibres result in a loss of retinal function in the area from where they originate, leading to defects in the field of vision.
The disease is called the `sneak thief of sight´ because it is painless, without symptoms and irreversible. Therefore, the person with glaucoma is usually unaware of it until much loss of vision has occurred. In fact, half of those suffering damage from glaucoma do not know it. Currently, damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed and if the entire nerve is damaged, blindness results.
Early detection and regular treatment are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness from glaucoma.
Treatment:
Pressure reducing Eye Drops and surgeries called Trabeculectomy,Deep sclerectomy and Glaucoma filtration devices.
Causes
We are supposed to have an equal production and drainage of a fluid inside the eye (called Aqueous Humour). This fluid results in a constant pressure within the eye (IOP). However, if the drainage is compromised due to any reason, there is a pressure build-up in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve.
Types Of Glaucoma
Chronic open-angle glaucoma
1. Most common type of glaucoma
2. Damages vision gradually and painlessly.
3. The pressure is rarely high enough to be symptomatic.
Angle-closure glaucoma
An acute attack of glaucoma caused by sudden blockage of the drainage channels leading to a sharp rise in pressure within the eye.
Symptoms
1. Blurred vision
2. Severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting
3. Headache
4. Rainbow haloes around lights
5. Pain around your eyes after watching TV or after leaving a dark theatre
6. Red eyes
An acute attack requires the immediate attention of an eye doctor.
Risk factors for Glaucoma are:
Age: Glaucoma is much more common among older people. You are six times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 40 years old.
Family History Of Glaucoma: The most common type of glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population.
Indiscriminate use of Steroids: Studies indicate that steroids increase intraocular pressure. These could be in the form of Oral medications, Steroid Inhalers and Steroid Eye Drops used for long periods of time.
Injury to Eye: Injury to the eye may cause secondary open angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.
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