Glaucoma
What is the Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, typically due to elevated pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). The optic nerve is crucial for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.
There are several types of glaucoma, but the most common are primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma:
- Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): This is the most common type. It develops gradually and painlessly, often with no symptoms in the early stages. Peripheral vision is typically affected first, progressing to central vision loss if untreated.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type can develop suddenly (acute angle-closure glaucoma) or gradually. It occurs when the drainage angle within the eye becomes blocked, leading to a rapid increase in intraocular pressure. Symptoms may include severe eye pain, headache, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting.
How does glaucoma affect my eyes?
Optic Nerve Damage: Increased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) can damage the optic nerve over time. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve leads to irreversible vision loss.
- Peripheral Vision Loss: In the early stages of glaucoma, peripheral (side) vision is often affected first. This can progress to tunnel vision or complete loss of peripheral vision.
- Central Vision Loss: As glaucoma advances, it can affect central vision as well, leading to difficulty with tasks such as reading and recognizing faces.
- Blindness: If left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness. Vision loss due to glaucoma is irreversible, but early detection and treatment can help slow or halt its progression.
Regular eye exams are essential for detecting glaucoma early, as symptoms often develop gradually and may not be noticeable until significant vision loss has occurred. Treatment options include eye drops, oral medications, laser surgery, and conventional surgery, aimed at reducing intraocular pressure and preserving vision.
How to be managed glaucoma?
Managing glaucoma primarily focuses on reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) to prevent further damage to the optic nerve and preserve vision. Here are the main approaches to manage glaucoma:
- Medication (Eye Drops), Laser therapy, surgery by eye specialist.
- Most important thing is that glaucoma requires regular monitoring with comprehensive eye exams, including visual field testing and measurement of intraocular pressure. Monitoring helps assess the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment. Book Eye Test
Follow-up
- It's crucial to adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen, including using eye drops as directed and attending scheduled appointments with eye care professionals.
- Regular follow-up visits are essential to monitor the disease's progression and adjust treatment as needed.
- Early detection and treatment of glaucoma are critical to preserving vision. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, it is important to work closely with us (optometrist) to develop a personalized management plan tailored to your specific condition and needs.
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