Glaucoma is a medical term that is applied to a group of conditions that leads to progressive optical nerve damage. The condition affects the whole visual system and ultimately damages the retinal ganglion cells that transmit the visual information from the retina to the brain.
The normal human eye produces a fluid known as aqueous humor. This fluid plays an important part in feeding and nourishing the structures in the front eye, also helping to focus the light entering the eye. As the condition progresses, there occurs an imbalance in the production and drainage of the aqueous humor, that increases the eye pressure in the eye to dangerous levels.
What are different forms of Glaucoma?
Normal Tension Glaucoma
This condition occurs when there is an optic never damage, which can appear even if the intraocular pressure is in the normal range.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-Closure Glaucoma cause blurry vision, pain, haloes around lights, nausea, vision loss and red eye. This occurs due to fluid which is not able to exit the eye due to the blockage of meshwork inside the eye. Make sure you visit the nearest doctor as soon as possible as this is a medical emergency. Lack of treatment or flow of the fluid can lead to total blindness in one or two or few days.
Secondary Glaucoma
This is caused by conditions like iritis or uveitis or it can even be occurred after an eye surgery. Diabetes is also a significant reason for causing Secondary Glaucoma.
Congenital Glaucoma
This is a birth defect that obstructs the flow of fluid out the eye making the vision cloudy and sensitive to light.
Open Angle Glaucoma
This is one of the most common form of Glaucoma and happens when there is an abnormality in the fluid production and drainage. It causes intraocular pressure to increase, leading to the damage in the optic nerve and ultimately vision loss. The condition begins with the loss of peripheral vision leading to the tunnel vision, finally leading to complete blindness if not properly treated or cared for.
What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?
There are different signs of different types of Glaucoma and unfortunately the symptoms are not visible until a significant damage has been done and there has been some kind of vision loss. The following types of symptoms are worth noticing in different types of Glaucoma.
Open Angle Glaucoma
- Vision Loss
- Slow loss of Peripheral Vision.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Decreased Vision
- Cloudy Vision
- Alternate appearance and disappearance of symptoms
- Sudden and severe pain in one eye.
- Red eyes
- Halos around the lights
- Vomiting and Nausea
Congenital Glaucoma
The symptoms of Congenital Glaucoma appear only when the child is few months old. These symptoms can be mentioned below.
- Cloudiness in front of the eye, mostly on the iris
- Red Eye
- Sensitivity to the light (Photophobia)
- Tearing
- Enlargement in the size of one eye or the other.
Secondary Glaucoma
- Loss of Vision
- Symptoms could be mild or severe depending upon the type of Glaucoma
Who is at the risk of developing Glaucoma?
Although Glaucoma can occur to anyone, there are few people who are more at the risk of developing this condition.
- People who belong to certain ethnicities. Of the diversity of population residing in America, African Americans, Asian Americans, Caucasians and even Japanese Americans are relatively higher risk of developing Glaucoma.
- People crossing the age of sixty have a higher chance of developing Glaucoma over time.
- People suffering from ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases also have a comparatively higher probability of developing Glaucoma.
- Glaucoma can be hereditary. That is, if someone in your family is suffering or suffered from Glaucoma, there is a relatively higher chances of you developing Glaucoma.
- People taking certain kind of drugs for a very long time also fall in the danger zone of developing Glaucoma in the near future.
How can the development of Glaucoma be prevented?
It is important to keep Glaucoma at bay if one wants to enjoy a good vision throughout life. It is important, especially for the people falling under the risk zone, to have an annual eye examination. Even when no risk factors are present, a person should get their eyes tested once in two years and the frequency should increase to every year if there are risk factors involved. In any case, if there is any change in the vision, then this should be a good reason to visit the eye specialist.
Glaucoma facts all should be aware of
Being a serious eye disorder, it is important that one should be aware of the facts about Glaucoma. Below is some of the important information you should know about the disease.
- Everyone is at the risk of developing Glaucoma.
- Cure for Glaucoma has not been found yet.
- Around 70 million people around the world are suffering from Glaucoma.
- Approximately 2 percent of the population between the age of 40 to 50 and around 8 percent of people over the age of 70 experience increased eye pressure.
- Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness amongst the African Americans.
- Symptoms of Glaucoma does not occur until the advance stage of the disease.
- Nearly about 4 million Americans are suffering from Glaucoma, but only half of them know about it.
What are the different eye exercises one can have to prevent Glaucoma?
Flashing
Flashing is one of the most important and popular eye exercises which is definitely beneficial and plays an important role in preventing Glaucoma. This exercise helps in stimulating the tissues which are located in the anterior chamber of your eye. For this exercise, make sure that the room is dark. Now inhale and switch on the lights. Exhale again and switch off the lights. This exercise should be performed for at least 30 minutes every day.
Palming
Palming is another important exercise which you can try in case of Glaucoma. The exercise can be performed anywhere, during any time of the day. Gently place your palms on the eye, without putting too much pressure on it and while keeping your eyes closed. The exercise helps to reduce pressure from the eye and helps you to find relief. Regular performance of this exercise helps you to reduce stress on your eyes muscles overtime.
Isokinetic Exercises
This exercise is important if you want easy and quick recovery. Isokinetic Exercise is similar to the aerobic exercises. Done at a fixed rate of speed, these exercises helps boost blood circulation and enhances eye health over the period of time.
Eye Massage
An eye massage is one of the best ways to prevent and draw relief from Glaucoma. This exercise make use of your fingers. All you have to do is to massage your eyes in circular motion. Make sure your eyes are closed. With the application of very little pressure, place your thumb below your eyes and press gently for 4-5 seconds. Repeat the same. Also massage the center of your cheeks for four breaths. These exercises are very beneficial and useful enough to provide you some kind of relief.
What is the importance of diagnosing Glaucoma early on?
Most forms of glaucoma are detected in a similar fashion, using identical tests. During your initial visit, your eye doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, family and personal medical history, diet, and lifestyle.
Your eye doctor will dilate your pupils by administering eye drops. The purpose of the drops is to allow the doctor to see through the pupil and into the eye during the examination. Although a tonometer (a test for checking intraocular pressure, i.e., pressure inside the eye) is an important and common tool used during a glaucoma screening, it is not enough for a correct diagnosis because eye pressure often changes.
- Visual acuity test
- Pupillary reflex response
- Slit lamp examination
- Gonioscopy
- Retinal examination
- Visual field test
- Nerve fiber analyzer
- Optic nerve imaging
The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure inside the eye. The most conventional treatments for glaucoma are medication or surgery, or a combination of both. The medications can either decrease the amount of fluid produced or help the eye drain fluid more easily.
It is possible that Glaucoma medication may affect your treatment with other medications, so it is better to consult with your physician and let them know about any other medications you are taking.
There are several medications for glaucoma, so it is possible that your doctor may try other medications along with the regular ones. For most people, either of the two may work, either it is medication or it is surgery.
Surgical options for the treatment of Glaucoma
Laser trabeculoplasty: Laser trabeculoplasty is an important surgical option for reducing the pressure in the eye. The doctor sends a laser beam into the trabecular meshwork, where fluid drainage occurs. This improves drainage and decreases the pressure.
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT): This procedure damages the tissues in the surrounding meshwork, and another session is usually necessary within a few years. Sometimes medication must also be taken.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): This is a specially designed laser that emits a low-energy laser light that targets only melanin-containing cells in the trabecular meshwork. The laser is heated only enough to affect the opening of the meshwork, so adjacent areas are not damaged. This allows for repeat treatments as needed.
Trabeculectomy: This is another surgical option for reducing the eye pressure in the long term. The procedure requires the surgeon to create a drainage channel on the surface of the eye. A small hole is made in the eye’s wall, which allows a little amount of fluid to constantly drain through it.
The hole is constructed so it doesn’t create a leak, and the patient is not aware of its presence. Sometimes, depending on the type and severity of the glaucoma, a surgeon will place a shunt on the site of the trabeculectomy.
Endoscopic CycloPhotocoagulation (ECP): This is yet another option to help alleviate eye pressure if medication and laser trabeculoplasty are not effective. Unlike laser trabeculoplasty, ECP uses lasers to target the ciliary body that produces fluid. This causes less fluid to be produced and in effect lowers pressure.
Again, most glaucoma can be controlled with medication. It is important that if you have any doubts or questions, you must consult with your doctor.
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