GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease which damage the optic nerve, the nerve that transmits visual images to the brain. It is often related to a buildup of pressure inside the eye. The increase pressure in eye can damage optic nerve that sends images to your brain. Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can cause blindness if undetected and untreated. The most common type of glaucoma has no early warning signs and can only be detected during a comprehensive eye exam.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of your condition.
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Open-angle glaucoma
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Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision or central vision, usually in both eyes
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Tunnel vision in the advanced stages
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Acute angle-closure glaucoma
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Severe eye pain
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Nausea and vomiting
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Blurred vision
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Halos around lights
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Eye redness
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Sudden onset of visual disturbance
Causes
In most cases, glaucoma is caused by higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye. This condition is called ocular hypertension.
Elevated eye pressure is due to a buildup of a fluid (aqueous humor) that flows throughout the inside of your eye.
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When too much pressure inside the eye, it causes damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eyeball, leading to permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma Treatments
It is important for patients to understand that glaucoma treatments will not restore the lost vision due to glaucoma, it may only slow or prevent additional vision loss. Therefore, it is important to have routine comprehensive eye exams to protect yourself from vision loss.
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There are various options of treatments based on a patient's situation. Types of treatment include:
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Eyedrops
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Oral medications
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Laser eg. Micropulsed trabeculoplasty, Cyclo photocoagulation
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High Frequency Deep Sclerotomy
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Drainage tubes
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Filtering surgery
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Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
