A Better Understanding Of Glaucoma
A Better Understanding Of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an irreversible eye disease caused by optic nerve damage. The optic nerve, also known as cranial nerve II, is the nerve that sends visual information to the brain from the retina. Glaucoma is a world-leading cause of blindness, especially in the elderly. The ophthalmologist’s early diagnosis and care are the keys to stopping glaucoma from affecting the optic nerves and loss of vision.
One might mistake glaucoma from cataract. What are their key differences?
Glaucoma
Elevated of aqueous pressure
In acute glaucoma, there is pain.
Vision loss is irreversible.
Cataract
The lens of the cataract becomes opaque.
There is no pain.
Surgery corrects vision loss.
What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?
Initially, glaucoma has no symptoms. That’s why half of glaucoma patients don’t even know they’ve got it. You can gradually lose vision over time, typically starting with your side (peripheral) vision, specifically the part of your vision which is nearest to your nose. Since it happens so gradually, many people, particularly at first, can not tell that their vision is deteriorating.
What are the types of Glaucoma?
- Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) that derives from an unknown cause
- Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG) that develops from an unidentified cause and may cause pain.
- Secondary glaucoma develops from a known cause, typically from severe damage to the eyes, cataract , tumor, or diabetes.
- Developmental (Congenital) glaucoma is a rare disorder that occurs in infants and babies.
What are the risk factors of glaucoma?
- Family history of glaucoma.
- Older people, 60 years old and above.
- African-American race has a greater probability of getting glaucoma.
- People taking corticosteroids.
- People who have had severe trauma of the eyes.
- Diabetes patients.
What are the different ways in treating glaucoma?
- Medication in the form of eye drops or tablets decreased pressure by decreasing the amount of fluid created in the eye and improved drainage.
- Surgery may be necessary to build a second channel of drainage in the eye to reinforce the existing flow.
- Laser therapy, done outpatiently, is used to relieve eye pressure.
Treatment can not return the vision that was lost due to glaucoma. Yet treatment will lessen the risk of further loss of vision. It is best to have a regular checkup with your ophthalmologist for glaucoma screening.
At Texas Eye and Cataract, we know how important it is to see life with clear vision. We understand that being your best means seeing your best.