The retina, a delicate layer of tissue at the back of the eye, plays a crucial role in vision by converting light into neural signals that the brain interprets as images. When the retina is compromised, it can lead to serious vision problems. Two common retinal conditions that require surgical intervention are retinal tears and retinal detachments. While these conditions may sound similar, they differ significantly in their causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.
Glaucoma is a chronic eye illness, which can lead to vision loss if not controlled. Since glaucoma is controllable with modern treatment, patients can avoid blindness as well as keep it from further damaging their eyes. Although treatment will not reverse the damage already done, it will prevent further vision loss.
Glaucoma will cause loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. Your optic nerve sends information from the eyes to the brain, and when damaged, you begin to lose patches of vision gradually. Although glaucoma can be related to high pressure in the eyes, it may happen even to those with normal eye pressure. Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults, as it’s the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Usually, glaucoma will progress so gradually that patients don’t even notice a change in vision until the conditions have reached the later stages. Therefore, it is recommended that you have regular eye exams including measurements of your eye pressure. If caught in the early stages, vision loss may be prevented, either way, patients will need monitoring for the rest of their lives.
Symptoms of glaucoma
Glaucoma usually begins with no warning signs, but over the years as it develops slowly it will affect the edges of your vision first. For those that notice symptoms, it may include blurred vision, or seeing rainbow-colored circles around bright lights. Both eyes are usually affected, although it may be worse in 1 eye. Very occasionally, glaucoma can develop suddenly and cause:
Intense eye pain
Nausea and vomiting
Red eye
Headache
Tenderness around the eyes
Seeing rings around lights
Blurred vision
Types of glaucoma
There are many types of glaucoma with ‘primary open-angle glaucoma’ being the most common type. Slowly developing through the years, it is caused by the drainage channels in the eye becoming gradually clogged. Other types of glaucoma include:
Acute angle closure glaucoma: This is caused by the drainage in the eye becoming suddenly blocked, raising the pressure inside the eye very quickly.
Secondary glaucoma: Caused by an underlying eye condition, such as inflammation of the eye (uveitis)
Childhood glaucoma (congenital glaucoma): A rare type that occurs in very young children, caused by an abnormality of the eye
Causes of glaucoma
There are many reasons for glaucoma, but the most common cause is a build-up of pressure in the eye when fluid is unable to drain properly. The raised pressure will damage the optic nerve -which connects the eye to the brain. There are a few things that can increase this risk:
Age: Glaucoma becomes more common as you get older
Ethnicity: Those of African, Caribbean, or Asian origin are at a higher risk
Family history: Those with a parent or sibling with glaucoma are more likely to develop it
Other medical conditions: Such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and diabetes
Glaucoma risk factors
Due to glaucoma damaging vision before patients can even notice any symptoms, it’s better to be aware of these risk factors:
High internal eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure
Age over 55
Black, Asian, or Hispanic heritage
Family history of glaucoma
Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, and sickle cell anemia
Corneas that are thin in the center
Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
Eye injury or certain types of eye surgery
Taking corticosteroid medicines, especially eye drops, for a long time
How to prevent glaucoma?
It’s better to detect glaucoma in the early stages, to prevent or slow vision loss. A regular eye examination can help detect glaucoma before significant damage occurs. For those at risk of glaucoma, frequent screening is needed. It’s best to know your family’s eye health history. Wear eye protection when using power tools or playing sports causes serious eye injuries and can lead to glaucoma. Glaucoma eye drops can significantly reduce the risk that high eye pressure will progress to glaucoma.
How is glaucoma managed or treated?
If glaucoma is left untreated it may lead to faster development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Although treatment options can slow down any additional vision loss, they can’t restore lost vision. Glaucoma treatment options include:
Medications to treat glaucoma
Many prescribed eye drops can treat glaucoma, some do it by decreasing fluids and increasing drainage to improve eye pressure. Due to glaucoma being a lifelong condition, you may need to use daily eye drops for life.
Laser therapy to treat glaucoma
The laser can be used to help improve fluid drainage from your eye. Laser treatment may be suggested as a first-line therapy instead of drops or in addition to eye drops. Although a laser treatment may not replace the use of eye drops completely. Sometimes the results of laser treatment can last for years.
Surgery to treat glaucoma
Surgery is another way to help reduce eye pressure. This treatment option offers faster eye pressure control than drops or lasers. Surgery can help slow down vision loss, but it can’t restore lost vision or cure glaucoma.
Conclusion
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease that can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early. It’s caused by damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure in the eye resulting from a buildup of fluid. While it’s a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old, blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment. Treatments aim to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerves. These can include medications, laser therapy, and surgical interventions. Despite the challenges it presents, advancements in medical technology and treatments continue to improve the prognosis for those with glaucoma.
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