GLAUCOMA

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases in which the
optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly destroyed. In most people
this damage is due to an increased pressure inside the eye - a result
of blockage of the circulation of aqueous, or its drainage. In other
patients the damage may be caused by poor blood supply to the vital
optic nerve fibres, a weakness in the structure of the nerve, and/or a
problem in the health of the nerve fibres themselves.Over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. While it is more common as people age, it can occur at any age. As our population becomes older, the proportion of glaucoma patients is increasing.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA

Chronic (primary open-angle) glaucoma is the commonest type. It has no symptoms until eye sight is lost at a later stage.Damage progresses very slowly and destroys vision gradually, starting with the side vision. One eye covers for the other, and the person remains unaware of any problem until a majority of nerve fibres have been destroyed, and a large part of vision has been destroyed. This damage is irreversible. It is progressive and usually relentless. Treatment cannot recover what has been lost. But it can arrest, or at least, slow down the damage process. That is why it is so important to detect the problem as early as possible, to be able to start treatment with as little damage to the vision as possible.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Although anyone can get glaucoma, some people have a higher risk, those
with

1.a family history of glaucoma
2.diabetes
3.migraine
4.short sightedness (myopia)
5.eye injuries
6.blood pressure
7.past or present use of cortisone drugs (steroids)
8.People in these groups should have their first eye check no later than
the age of 35. For most people, it is recommended to have an eye check
for glaucoma by the age of 40.

HOW IS GLAUCOMA DETECTED?

Regular eye examinations are the best way to detect glaucoma early.

A glaucoma test usually includes the following:

optic nerve check with an ophthalmoscope
eye pressure check (tonometry)
visual field assessment if needed - this tests the sensitivity of the
side vision, where glaucoma strikes first

CAN GLAUCOMA BE TREATED?

Although there is no cure for glaucoma it can usually be controlled and

further loss of sight either prevented or at least slowed down.

Treatments include:

Eyedrops - these are the most common form of treatment and must be used

regularly. In some cases pills are prescribed. The drops can be varied

to best suit the patient and the type of glaucoma.

Laser (laser trabeculoplasty) - this is performed when eye drops do not

stop deterioration in the field of vision. In many cases eye drops will

need to be continued after laser. Laser does not require a hospital

stay.

Surgery (trabeculectomy) - this is performed usually after eye drops

and laser have failed to control the eye pressure. A new channel for

the fluid to leave the eye is created.

Treatment can save remaining vision but it does not improve eye sight.



WHAT ARE SOME OTHER FORMS OF GLAUCOMA?

Chronic (primary open-angle) glaucoma is the most common form of this
disease. However, other forms occur:
Low-tension or normal tension glaucoma. Occasionally optic nerve damage
can occur in people with so-called normal eye pressure. This form of

glaucoma is treated in the same manner as open-angle glaucoma. Acute (angle-closure) glaucoma. Acute glaucoma is when the pressure inside the eye rapidly increases due to the iris blocking the drain. An attack of acute glaucoma is often severe. People suffer pain, nausea,

blurred vision and redness of the eye. Immediate medical help should be
sought. If treatment is delayed there can be permanent visual damage in
a very short time. Usually, laser surgery performed promptly can clear
the blockage and protect against visual impairment. Congenital glaucoma. This is a rare form of glaucoma caused by an abnormal drainage system. It can exist at birth or develop later. Parents may note that the child is sensitive to light, has enlarged and cloudy eyes, and excessive watering. Surgery is usually needed.
Secondary glaucomas. These glaucomas can develop as a result of other
disorders of the eye such as injuries, cataracts, eye inflammation. The
use of steroids (cortisone) has a tendency to raise eye pressure and
therefore pressures should be checked frequently when steroids are
used.
Source : http://www.glaucoma.org.au/whatis.htm