What is Glaucoma? Causes, Treatment

Glaucoma is a medical condition characterized by increased pressure within the eye. The pressure causes damage to the optic nerve and can lead to permanent blindness. It also leads to loss of vision, even when treatment is given.

Glaucoma is most commonly known as irreversible blindness worldwide. It can occur for many reasons, but one of the more common causes is

• Intraocular pressure (IOP)

• Angle-closure glaucoma (OAG)

Who is affected with Glaucoma

1 Glaucoma, also known as optic nerve damage, is a condition that occurs when the optic nerve is damaged. 

2 If not treated in time,, Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness. A common misconception is that most people with glaucoma are over 60 years old but this isn’t true. 

3 In fact, many cases of glaucoma are found in younger people under 40 years old.

4 This condition can lead to a number of symptoms varying from 

• Blurry vision to color blindness and 

• Pain in the eye or face

5 It’s often accompanied by headaches and vomiting which means that it’s important for people with glaucoma to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Causes of Glaucoma

1 Glaucoma is a disease that makes the optic nerve lose its ability to transmit signals to the brain. As a result, vision is lost gradually over time.

2 Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and this occurs due to pressure in the eye.

3 Pressure can be caused by high intra-ocular pressure (IOP) or fluid in the eye. Symptoms of Glaucoma include:

• Fluid draining into your nose or ears when you blink

• Vision loss

• Blind spots and floaters

• These symptoms may not be apparent until later on and doctors can help

Who diagnoses and the specialist eye doctor 

1 Glaucoma is a disease of eye that causes damage to the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible blindness. In order to avoid this, there are various tests that Eye specialist use.

2 Ever since, screening procedures have been used by eye doctors to detect the symptoms and then start treatment, especially for people with a family history of the disease. Glaucoma is one of the most common preventable diseases in developed countries but it still requires high level skills for diagnosis and treatment which are difficult for many.

3 Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in people ages 60 and older. It is a disease that affects an estimated 54,000 Americans each year. It typically causes gradual loss of vision in one eye before progressing to total blindness in both eyes.

4 There are many tests that are used to detect glaucoma but tests like ophthalmoscopy can detect this condition faster than other tests.

• Tonometry Test to measure itraocular pressure

• Test to check for nerve damage with imaging tests and with a dilated eye examination

• Check for vision loss known as visual field test

• Check for corneal thickness called Pachymetry

• Inspect the drainage angle known as gonioscopy

Treatments of Glaucoma

1 Glaucoma is an eye disorder that involves pressure buildup inside the eye. It can lead to blindness if not detected and treated in time. 

2 While treatments vary depending on the patient’s symptoms, there are a few common methods of treatment such as medication, surgery, and laser surgery.

3 Glaucoma is a condition that has many types of treatment options available to help ease the symptoms and prevent further damage. 

4 In recent years, glaucoma has become more common as a condition that leads to blindness or injury if not detected early enough.

5 Eye drops have been proved as a good medicine that pass into your bloodstream. There may be some side effects, but closing eyes for 1 or 2 minutes after putting the drops helps. You can also press lightly at the corner of the eyes.  Wipe off any extra drops from your eyelid.

6 Sometimes depending on the requirement, multiple eye drops may have to be used. At that time, it is always good to wait for five minutes in between if you are advised to using different drops.

Surgeries can be done by Eye specialist

• Laser Therapy  – Laser trabecloplasty is also available, if you are unable to get to the use of eye drops. Alternatively, if the prescribed medicine has not slowed the down the progression of Glaucoma. 

• Filtering surgery is another surgery  called as trabeculectomy. In this surgery, the eye surgeon makes a tiny opening in the white of the eye, which is also called as the sclera. With this process of surgery, a way is created for fluid to exit from the eye.

• Another type of surgery called as Drainage tubes, where eye surgeon inserts a small tube into the eye to ensure that excess fluid is drained out completely and this reduces eye pressure.

• MIGs or (Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery) is suggested to lower the pressure in the eyes.  These surgeries require very less time after the surgery and also carries very less risk.  MIG surgery is closely connected with cataract surgery. There are many other methods avaialble in MIGS. Eye doctor will be able to explain the about recommended procedure which suits your need.