Glaucoma
What is it?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions which result in optic nerve damage and is nicknamed the “silent thief of sight.” Once lost, the visual field cannot be recovered.
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease of the optic nerve often caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Increased IOP results from a malfunction of the eye’s drainage structures or from increased production of flied inside the eye. If IOP is left untreated, elevated IOP may cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers, resulting in a progressive, permanent loss of vision. Not all cases of glaucoma are related to increased IOP. Studies have found that up to one-third of patients with glaucoma will have IOP in the normal range at an annual eye exam. Early detection and treatment may slow or even stop the progress of the disease.
Symptoms
In the beginning, there are no symptoms of glaucoma; vision stays normal and there is no pain.
Primary open-angle glaucoma signs and symptoms include:
Closed-angle glaucoma signs and symptoms include:
Treatment for Glaucoma
There are various options to treat glaucoma such as eye drops, laser procedures, and surgery. Treatment is intended to decrease eye pressure therefore protect the optic nerve. Eye drops or laser are the first choice for treating patients, however, for many people a combination of medications and laser treatment can safely control eye pressure and prevent further vision loss.
Eye drops may be used in managing glaucoma to decrease eye pressure by helping the eye’s fluid to drain better and/or decrease the amount of fluid made by the eye. In those patients where the pressure cannot be controlled with medication or laser, surgery is often successful in reducing IOP.
Protecting your Vision
Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma (before it causes major vision loss) is the best way to control the disease. Once damage from glaucoma occurs it is not reversible. Depending on your general health and family history, your eyes should be examined through dilated pupils every 1-2 years. If you have glaucoma risk factors, a dilated eye examination is recommended every year.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions which result in optic nerve damage and is nicknamed the “silent thief of sight.” Once lost, the visual field cannot be recovered.
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease of the optic nerve often caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Increased IOP results from a malfunction of the eye’s drainage structures or from increased production of flied inside the eye. If IOP is left untreated, elevated IOP may cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers, resulting in a progressive, permanent loss of vision. Not all cases of glaucoma are related to increased IOP. Studies have found that up to one-third of patients with glaucoma will have IOP in the normal range at an annual eye exam. Early detection and treatment may slow or even stop the progress of the disease.
Symptoms
In the beginning, there are no symptoms of glaucoma; vision stays normal and there is no pain.
Primary open-angle glaucoma signs and symptoms include:
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision (usually in both eyes)
- Tunnel vision in the advanced stages
Closed-angle glaucoma signs and symptoms include:
- Eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting (accompanying the eye pain)
- Sudden onset of visual disturbance (often in low light)
- Blurred vision
- Halos around lights
- Reddening of the eye
Treatment for Glaucoma
There are various options to treat glaucoma such as eye drops, laser procedures, and surgery. Treatment is intended to decrease eye pressure therefore protect the optic nerve. Eye drops or laser are the first choice for treating patients, however, for many people a combination of medications and laser treatment can safely control eye pressure and prevent further vision loss.
Eye drops may be used in managing glaucoma to decrease eye pressure by helping the eye’s fluid to drain better and/or decrease the amount of fluid made by the eye. In those patients where the pressure cannot be controlled with medication or laser, surgery is often successful in reducing IOP.
Protecting your Vision
Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma (before it causes major vision loss) is the best way to control the disease. Once damage from glaucoma occurs it is not reversible. Depending on your general health and family history, your eyes should be examined through dilated pupils every 1-2 years. If you have glaucoma risk factors, a dilated eye examination is recommended every year.