What you need to know about Glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause optic nerve damage. Glaucoma can strike at any age, but it is more common in older people. It’s one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60.
Many types of glaucoma have no symptoms. Because the effect is so gradual, you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is advanced. It’s necessary to have regular eye exams that check your eye pressure.
Causes and Risk factors
There are numerous theories about what causes glaucoma, but the precise cause is unknown. Although the disease is typically associated with an increase in intraocular fluid pressure, other theories include a lack of adequate blood supply to the nerve.
Types of Glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma- The most common type of glaucoma. Those who are affected may lose a significant portion of their vision before they notice any vision problems. According to one theory, it develops as the eye’s drainage system and becomes inefficient over time. This causes an increase in fluid and a gradual increase in pressure within the eye.
Primary open-angle glaucoma frequently progresses slowly and painlessly, with no early warning signs. It can gradually destroy one’s vision without the person being aware of it. The first signs of glaucoma may appear after a person has lost some vision.
Angle-closure glaucoma- This is a less common form of glaucoma, also known as closed-angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. It is a medical emergency that can result in blindness within a day of onset. It happens when the eye’s drainage angle (formed by the cornea and the iris) closes or becomes blocked.
Symptoms includes:
- blurred vision
- appearance of halos or coloured rings around lights,
- pain and redness in the eye.
Secondary glaucoma- This type of glaucoma is caused by an eye injury or another eye disease. A variety of medical conditions, medications, physical injuries, and eye abnormalities can all cause it. Eye surgery can occasionally result in secondary glaucoma.
Normal-tension or low-tension glaucoma- The eye pressure remains within the “normal” range in this type of glaucoma, but the optic nerve is still damaged. It is unknown why this occurs. Low-tension glaucoma patients may have an abnormally sensitive optic nerve. They may also have a reduced blood supply to the optic nerve due to a condition such as atherosclerosis, or artery hardening. Even normal pressure on the optic nerve can cause damage in these conditions.
Risk factors
The following factors can increase the risk of developing glaucoma:
- Age– People over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
- Family history of glaucoma– Having glaucoma in the family increases the risk
- Medical conditions- Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease have all been linked to an increased risk of developing glaucoma, according to some research.
- Physical eye injuries– Severe trauma, such as being hit in the eye, can result in an increase in eye pressure right away. Internal damage from such a trauma can also result in future pressure increases. Injury can also cause the lens to dislocate, closing the drainage angle and increasing pressure.
- Other eye-related risk factors– Certain eye anatomy characteristics, such as thinner corneas and optic nerve sensitivity, indicate an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma can also be caused by retinal detachment, eye tumours, and eye inflammations. According to some research, nearsightedness may be a risk factor for glaucoma.
- Use of corticosteroids– Long-term use of corticosteroids (including cortisone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone) appears to put some people at risk of secondary glaucoma, increasing pressure and the drainage angle.
Treatment
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce eye pressure. Prescription eye drops are the most common and frequently used treatment. Some cases may necessitate systemic medications, laser treatment, or other surgical procedures. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection and treatment can help to preserve vision.