According to a study, around 11.2 million people aged 40 years and older suffer from glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease where the optic nerve of an eye gets thinned out over time. This damage is often caused by a buildup of fluid pressure inside the eye. This is known as intraocular pressure. It is the third-most common eye disease that causes irreversible blindness. Most of the time, the symptoms of glaucoma are minimal or nonexistent.
In this article, we will cover the types of glaucoma and the possible treatments.
Types Of Glaucoma
Open-angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma, also known as wide-angle glaucoma, is the most common type of glaucoma. It often shows no early warning signs. Peripheral or side vision loss might occur in later stages, progressing gradually.
Acute angle-Closure Glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is also known as acute angle-closure glaucoma, chronic angle-closure glaucoma, or narrow-angle glaucoma. Here, the flow of aqueous humor fluid is suddenly blocked, which may cause a severe, quick, and painful increase in eye pressure.
This sudden onset of symptoms requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, and vomiting.
Congenital Glaucoma
It is a defect in the angle of an eye that slows and prevents normal fluid drainage. This type usually occurs in newborns. Symptoms include cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, or sensitivity to light.
Secondary Glaucoma
It is often the side effect of an injury or another eye condition, such as cataracts or eye tumors.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
In normal-tension glaucoma, the optic nerve is damaged even though the measured eye pressure falls within the normal range (usually between 12 and 21 mmHg). This makes it trickier to detect compared to other types of glaucoma, where high eye pressure is a red flag.
Symptoms Of Glaucoma
In India, around 90% of cases of glaucoma are underdiagnosed. Studies highlight that although primary open-angle glaucoma may be more common in India, patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma may be two times more likely to become blind. The symptoms of glaucoma include:
- Seeing halos around lights
- Vision loss
- Redness in your eye
- Eyes that look hazy (particularly in infants)
- Upset stomach or vomiting
- Eye pain
- Severe headache
- Blurred vision with exercise
- Gradual loss of side vision
Causes Of Glaucoma
Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, results from damage to the optic nerve, often triggered by a buildup of fluid pressure inside the eye. While increased pressure is a common thread, understanding the reasons behind this pressure rise is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the key causes of glaucoma:
Drainage Disruption
Your eye constantly produces a clear fluid called aqueous humor that nourishes the eye and helps maintain its shape. This fluid naturally drains out through a meshwork of channels at the front of the eye.
In glaucoma, these drainage channels become clogged or malfunction, impeding the fluid’s outflow. This blockage leads to fluid accumulation and rising pressure within the eye.
Overproduction Of Fluid
In some cases, the eye might produce excessive aqueous humor, overwhelming the drainage system’s capacity. This imbalance between production and drainage also contributes to pressure buildup.
Optic Nerve Vulnerability
The optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain, can be more susceptible to damage in some individuals. Even with normal or slightly elevated eye pressure, these vulnerable nerves are at higher risk of deterioration.
Other Contributing Factors
Several other factors can play a role in glaucoma development, although their exact influence is still being explored. These include:
- Age: The risk of glaucoma increases significantly after 40.
- Genetics: Having a family history of glaucoma raises your risk.
- Ethnicity: People of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent are at higher risk.
- Medical Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and migraines can contribute.
- Eye Problems: Previous eye injuries, nearsightedness, or farsightedness can be risk factors.
- Steroid Use: Long-term use of corticosteroid medications, especially eye drops, can increase risk.
Treatment Of Glaucoma
Treatment of glaucoma depends on its type. The aim is to reduce eye pressure. Early detection and consistent treatment can effectively halt further damage and preserve your precious eyesight.
Lowering Eye Pressure
Since glaucoma is often linked to elevated eye pressure, the primary treatment goal is to reduce it. This can be done using:
- Eyedrops: These are the first line of defense. Various types of medicated eye drops work by either reducing fluid production within the eye or improving drainage through the channels.
- Laser Procedures: Minimally invasive and often performed in an outpatient setting, laser treatments target the drainage channels. These procedures aim to create or widen these channels, facilitating better fluid outflow and lowering pressure.
- Trabeculoplasty: This laser targets the trabecular meshwork, the natural drainage area of the eye, to enhance its flow capacity.
- Iridotomy: This laser creates a tiny opening in the iris (the colored part of the eye) in cases where the iris itself is blocking the drainage angle.
Surgical Intervention
If eyedrops and laser procedures fail to adequately control eye pressure, surgery might be recommended by your ophthalmologist. These surgical procedures aim to create a new drainage channel for the excess fluid to escape the eye and alleviate pressure. Here are two common glaucoma surgeries:
- Trabeculectomy: This microsurgical procedure creates a new channel in the eye wall, allowing fluid to drain directly under the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye).
- Drainage implants: In some cases, a tiny implant might be placed in the eye to create a drainage passage for the fluid.
Tips To Prevent Glaucoma
While not a direct treatment, a healthy lifestyle can support your eye health and potentially slow glaucoma progression. Here are some tips:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a risk factor for glaucoma.
- Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity can improve blood flow to the optic nerve.
- Eat a balanced diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can promote overall eye health.
- Manage chronic conditions. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or migraines, keeping them under control can benefit your eye health.
- Regular eye checkups are essential for the early detection of glaucoma.
Since glaucoma, particularly normal-tension glaucoma, can progress silently, regular eye checkups are crucial. Early detection allows for prompt intervention and helps prevent vision loss.
Test For Detection Of Glaucoma
During an eye exam, your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including:
- Tonometry measures your eye pressure.
- Ophthalmoscopy examines the optic nerve for signs of damage.
- Visual field testing assesses for any blind spots or vision loss.
If one is at risk for glaucoma, he or she should have a complete eye exam sooner than age 40.
Glaucoma treatment is a lifelong commitment. By adhering to your doctor’s treatment plan, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and attending regular checkups, you can effectively manage glaucoma and safeguard your vision for the long term.
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