What is Glaucoma?
Under the name “Glaucoma” ophthalmologists describe a group of diseases that gradually diminish sight without the patient noticing it (in the early stages of the disease, there are no symptoms). In most cases the main alteration one can measure is an increased pressure within the eye. Over time, this causes damage to the optic nerve.
In the final stages, the vision reduces to a small central island around the point of fixation with complete loss of all the peripheral field.
Glaucoma residual vision (right) as compared to normal vision.
Risk Factors
Higher than normal intraocular pressure increases the risk of developing glaucoma. Intraocular Pressure (IOP ) is the level of fluid pressure inside the eye. Normal intraocular pressure usually ranges from 12-21 mm Hg, although people with relatively low pressure can still have glaucoma and people with high pressure can still have healthy eyes.
Certain other factors increase glaucoma risk:
- Age.
Age is a large risk factor in the development of glaucoma. Individuals older than 60 are at increased risk of the disorder
- Race.
Blacks are significantly more likely to get glaucoma than are whites, and they are much more likely to suffer permanent blindness as a result. Hispanics also face an increased risk.
- Family history of glaucoma.
A family history of glaucoma greatly increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Medical conditions.
Diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma. A history of high blood pressure or heart disease also can increase the risk.
- Physical injuries.
Severe trauma, such as being hit in the eye, can result in increased eye pressure. Injury can also dislocate the lens, closing the drainage angle. Injury to the eye may cause secondary glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later. Blunt injuries that “bruise” the eye (called blunt trauma) or injuries that penetrate the eye can damage the eye's drainage system, leading to traumatic glaucoma.
- Nearsightedness. Being nearsighted, which generally means that objects in the distance look fuzzy without glasses or contacts, increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
Other risk factors include retinal detachment, eye tumours and eye inflammations such as chronic uveitis and iritis. Certain types of eye surgery may trigger secondary glaucoma.
What can the patient do?
The key word in Glaucoma is Early detection. The ophthalmologists actively search for any sign of glaucoma during their routine check ups of their patients, so the simplest way of avoiding a glaucoma going un detected is just not to miss ones appointments whit the doctor, especially after certain age.
Through early detection and treatment, the chances of preserving a satisfactory vision throughout the entire life even when a glaucoma is diagnosed.
How is the glaucoma treated?
The vast majority of glaucoma patients are well controlled with topical treatment (eye drops). The doctor determines the kind of drops and the frequency of their administration, in order to achieve the target IOP (the value of the intra ocular pressure at which no further deterioration of the optic nerve is observed). One fundamental factor in the success of the treatment is the patient’s compliance with the treatment.
In less frequent cases, the target IOP cannot be reached with drops only, and glaucoma surgery is needed. |
