Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage the optic nerve. It is the most common condition causing vision loss (blindness). This optic damage occurs due to the buildup of fluid that creates pressure at the front of the eye (intraocular pressure). For some people, this pressure can still be normal, even if they suffer from glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts and is related to a person’s age. When this disease is not properly managed (not detected early), it can result in permanent vision loss and blindness that cannot be cured. There are several types of glaucoma, including:
- Open-angle glaucoma:** Fluid builds up in the eye’s drainage channels and only starts to pressure the optic nerve after years, so symptoms often go unrecognized.
- Angle-closure glaucoma (sudden):** The angle between the iris and cornea is too narrow, blocking the drainage channel and making it difficult for fluid to exit the eye, leading to increased eye pressure.
- Normal-tension glaucoma:** The cause is not exactly known.
- Congenital glaucoma:** Babies are born with improperly formed drainage channels during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because it can occur suddenly without early symptoms, and its changes can happen gradually, causing many signs to be missed, ultimately leading to vision loss. Therefore, regular eye exams are recommended for detection. Some symptoms to watch for include:
- Eye pain or pressure
- Headaches
- Rainbow-colored halos around lights
- Blurred, narrowed vision, or blind spots
- Red eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
The main symptom of glaucoma is eye pain or pressure.
Causes
Glaucoma can occur for various reasons, but it is primarily related to intraocular pressure. The human eye produces fluid called aqueous humor (meant to nourish the eye). This fluid flows through the pupil to the front of the eye. In a healthy eye, the fluid exits through drainage channels located between the iris and cornea.
In individuals with glaucoma, these drainage channels experience problems, causing fluid to build up in the eye, creating pressure, and eventually damaging the optic nerve. Additionally, the eye may produce too much fluid, which cannot be drained quickly enough. Risk factors for developing glaucoma include:
- Increasing age
- Asian and Inuit ethnicity
- African descent
- Diabetes mellitus
- Family history of glaucoma
- Nearsightedness and farsightedness
- High and low blood pressure
- Long-term use of corticosteroids
- Eye injury or surgery
Diagnosis
Since glaucoma symptoms may go unrecognized, it is crucial for everyone to have regular eye exams to detect it and other eye problems. Some commonly performed tests include:
- Dilated eye examination to check the pupil dilation and optic nerve at the back of the eye
- Examining the angle where the iris meets the cornea (gonioscopy)
- Detecting changes in the optic nerve (optical coherence tomography)
- Measuring eye pressure (tonometry)
- Measuring corneal thickness (pachymetry)
- Examining the interior of the eye with a special microscope (slit-lamp exam)
- Visual acuity tests to check for vision loss
- Visual field tests to check peripheral vision
Prevent glaucoma by having regular eye exams.
Treatment
When glaucoma is untreated, vision loss will be permanent or blindness will occur faster. Treatments can only slow additional vision loss but cannot restore lost vision. Hence, it is essential to have regular eye exams. Some treatment options include:
- Eye drops (used daily)
- Laser therapy (to enhance fluid drainage from the eye)
- Eye surgery
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition requiring early detection and proper treatment to prevent further vision loss. It occurs due to pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve. To minimize the risk, make sure to have regular eye exams. Read other Fitie health articles for more information!
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