Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage your eyes optic nerve, resulting in impaired vision or vision loss. With early detection and treatment, glaucoma may be managed to prevent vision loss. A healthy optic nerve is vital to good vision, as it connects the retina to the brain through more than a million nerves. There are different types of glaucoma that manifest differently and have different courses of care. It is important to have your eye health routinely checked by an eye doctor to identify glaucoma early.

Glaucoma can be detected with a comprehensive exam consisting of a visual field test, dilated eye exam, measuring the pressure of the eye and  measuring the thickness of the cornea.

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

In Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, the eyes drainage canals have become blocked, and fluid accumulation has caused an unhealthy increase in eye pressure that begins to damage the optic nerve. This is the most common form of glaucoma, affecting around 1% of all Americans. There is a strong genetic predisposition for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, so if you have a family history of POAG it is wise for you to get routine dilated eye exams to catch any signs of glaucoma early.

Angle Closure Glaucoma

Angle Closure Glaucoma is when the eye’s aqueous cannot properly drain via the normal drainage canals due to them being too narrow or closed completely. Eye pressure can increase dramatically in a short time span in these cases and can be triggered by eye dilation. Symptoms for Angle Closure Glaucoma include sudden onset eye pain, nausea, headaches and blurred vision. This is a medical emergency, if you experience any of these symptoms seek medical care immediately.

Normal Tension Glaucoma

Referred to as low pressure glaucoma, this form manifests and damages the optic nerve without any increase in eye pressure. Genetics have a strong factor in this form of glaucoma and is managed similarly to Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Treatment and Management of Open Angle Glaucoma

Open Angle Glaucoma can affect one or both eyes. If left untreated, symptoms will worsen overtime and lead to eventual blindness. While different stages of glaucoma can be treated or managed, there is no cure for glaucoma and no way to restore vision that has been lost to glaucoma. If detected early enough, these are some treatments used to manage glaucoma:

• Medicines that manage eye pressure
• Medicines that manage the eyes fluids
• Laser trabeculoplasty to help fluid drain from the eye followed by medication
• Conventional surgery to create a new opening for fluid to leave the eye

Consult an eye care professional to determine what course of treatment is best for your situation. Medicines for glaucoma must be taken consistently to maintain proper treatment of your condition. Giving a comprehensive medical history to your eye physician will ensure they can properly treat you.

Secondary Glaucoma

Sometimes glaucoma is the result of another condition, this is referred to as secondary glaucoma. This can be the result of a previous eye condition, surgery or eye injury. Some of the following list are causes for secondary glaucoma:

• You have had cataract
• You have had eye tumors
• You have had eye inflammation/irritation due to uveitis
• You have had poorly controlled diabetes
• You have had poorly controlled blood pressure
• You have had an eye surgery
• You have experienced a serious eye injury
• You have used steroid drugs to treat eye inflammation

Congenital Glaucoma

When children are born with a defect in the angle of the eye, it is referred to as congenital glaucoma. In these cases, the child’s eyes are cloudy, sensitive to light and have excessive production of tears. Conventional surgery is usually advised, and has an incredible success rate in restoring vision in the affected eye. Safe and effective, surgery is the best course of action in cases of congenital glaucoma.