What is Glaucoma?
It is caused by the build up of pressure in the eye when the drainage of fluid from the eye is impaired. The most common risk factors include age, family history, and African ancestry.
Early detection through regular eye exams is essential to preventing vision loss. With early treatment, most people with this condition will not go completely blind. There are two types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle. Open-angle glaucoma usually has no symptoms and is usually detected through eye exams. Closed-angle glaucoma is a sudden increase in pressure in the eye. It is typically diagnosed through eye exams, but can also be detected with symptoms like a sudden, sharp headache.
Primary open-angle glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma, accounting for 90 percent of all cases.
The most common symptoms are blurry vision and headaches. Primary open-angle glaucoma can be detected by an eye doctor during a routine eye exam. A common risk factor for this type of glaucoma is age, as most people will start to experience some degree of glaucoma as they grow older. Primary open-angle glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medication or surgery.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a sudden increase in intraocular pressure that can lead to a partial or complete closure of the angle between the anterior surface of the lens and the iris, resulting in impaired vision or blindness if left untreated.
Common symptoms include pain in one eye, swelling of the eye, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, nausea, and headache. The most common cause of acute angle-closure glaucoma is an increase in the volume of eye fluid, which can be triggered by certain medications, stress, or certain health conditions, such as a viral infection. Surgery or certain medications can help to reduce the intraocular pressure and open the angle so that fluid can drain from the eye. Acute angle-closure glaucoma can be treated quickly and easily, and it is important to visit your eye doctor as soon as you experience any symptoms.
Vision With Glaucoma
The vision impairment that comes with this condition is often described as a gradual reduction of clarity in both near- and far-sighted vision, especially at low light levels. For example, it might be difficult to see across the street or read the fine print on a medication bottle.
Glaucoma Risk Factors
The earlier you know you have the disease, the better your chances are at avoiding vision loss. Stay on top of its risk factors, as well as take steps to lower your risk of developing the disease. Some risk factors include age, family history, diabetes, and Ethnicity.
Glaucoma Treatment
While it is true that glaucoma does not have a cure, early detection allows for its most effective treatment. The earlier you know you have the disease, the better your chances are at keeping it under control.
Treatment is ongoing and requires consistent monitoring to prevent further damage. Once diagnosed with glaucoma you can expect to see your ophthalmologist every few months to keep track of the progression of the condition and ensure the appropriate treatments are followed. Depending on the progression of the condition you will either be prescribed medication such as eye drops, or may even have to undergo certain surgical procedures to prevent further vision loss.
Glaucoma Eye Drops
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you will likely be prescribed eye drops. These help reduce the intraocular pressure in your eyes.
The most common active ingredient in eye drops is a medication called a beta-blocker. Eye drops may be prescribed if you have high pressure in your eyes but don’t need eye surgery. They are often recommended as the first treatment for glaucoma, as they are easy to use and have few side effects.
Surgical Procedures
Depending on the type and severity of your condition, your eye doctor may recommend a variety of surgical procedures to reduce the pressure in your eyes and keep your vision healthy.
These procedures can be highly effective at reducing the pressure in your eye and improving your vision, but they do come with a risk of complications. For this reason, you should always discuss the benefits and risks of each procedure with your eye doctor before deciding which one is right for you. And it’s important to follow any post-surgical care instructions to help reduce the risk of complications as much as possible.
Drainage Device
A drainage device is a small plastic tube that is placed under the eyelid. It is intended to collect fluids from the eyes to reduce pressure and risk of vision loss.
There are different types of drainage devices, including mini-drainages, vacuum-assisted drainage, and silicone tube drainage.
Trabeculectomy
A Trabeculectomy is a common and effective surgery for the treatment of glaucoma. It is the most widely used treatment for this condition.
During the procedure, a surgeon will create a new exit for fluid to flow out of the eye or widen an existing duct.
Tube Shunt
They are often recommended for people with normal pressure glaucoma. This type of glaucoma is thought to be caused by a blockage of the drainage channels in the eye.
A tube shunt is a small plastic tube that is implanted into one of the internal drainage channels in the eye.
