Glaucoma: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in vision loss and blindness. In this blog post, we will discuss how glaucoma is diagnosed, treated, and prevented.
Causes of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused primarily by high intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve over time. Aqueous humor is a clear fluid in the eye that circulates in its front part and drains out through a mesh-like structure called the trabecular meshwork, which is part of the eye's drainage system. When the drainage system is blocked or does not function properly, fluid can build up and cause an increase in eye pressure.
As a result of fluid buildup and drainage, there are a number of types of glaucoma. The most common type is open-angle glaucoma, which occurs when the drainage system is open but not functioning properly. A closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage system is blocked by the iris (the colored part of the eye), which develops slowly and often has no symptoms until advanced stages. In this type of glaucoma, the eye pressure rises suddenly and immediate medical care is necessary. A third type is normal-tension glaucoma, which occurs when the optic nerve is damaged despite the eye pressure being normal or not too high. The exact cause of this type of glaucoma is unknown.
Some factors that can increase the risk of developing glaucoma include:
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Age: Glaucoma is more common in older adults, especially over 60 years old.
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Family history: Glaucoma can run in families, especially if a close relative has had glaucoma.
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Ethnicity: Glaucoma is more prevalent in people of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent.
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Eye conditions: Glaucoma can be associated with other eye problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, cataracts, or eye injuries.
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Medical conditions: Glaucoma can be related to some systemic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
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Medications: Glaucoma can be caused or worsened by some medications, such as steroids, antihistamines, or antidepressants.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
When glaucoma is detected early, it can prevent vision loss and prevent blindness. Some of the signs and symptoms of glaucoma include:
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Gradual loss of peripheral or side vision
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Difficulty seeing in dim light or at night
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Blurred or distorted vision
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Halos or rainbow-colored rings around lights
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Eye pain or redness
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Headaches or nausea
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Sudden vision loss or blindness
Diagnosis of Glaucoma
To diagnose glaucoma, an eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam that may include:
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Measuring the eye pressure with a device called a tonometer
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Examining the optic nerve with a device called an ophthalmoscope
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Testing the visual field with a device called a perimetry
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Measuring the corneal thickness with a device called a pachymetry
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Inspecting the drainage angle with a device called a gonioscopy
These tests can help determine if there is any damage to the optic nerve or any obstruction to the fluid drainage in the eye.
Treatment of Glaucoma
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower the eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Treatment options may include:
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Glaucoma medications include prostaglandins, beta blockers, alpha-adrenergic agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and parasympathomimetic drugs.
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Trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation are some common laser surgeries for glaucoma that use light to create small openings in the trabecular meshwork or iris.
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In conventional surgery, a new channel is created for fluid to drain from the eye. Trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage implants are common procedures for glaucoma.
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Canaloplasty and iStent are two examples of minimally invasive surgeries for glaucoma that use tiny devices to increase fluid drainage.
The choice of treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type and severity of glaucoma, the eye pressure level, the optic nerve condition, the visual field status, and the patient's preferences and general health. Getting the best results may require the use of multiple methods or frequent adjustments.
Prevention of Glaucoma
Glaucoma cannot be prevented completely, but there are some steps that can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of glaucoma, such as:
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Having regular eye exams, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors for glaucoma
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Following your eye doctor’s instructions and taking your medications as prescribed
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Monitoring your eye pressure and reporting any changes or side effects to your eye doctor
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Protecting your eyes from injury or infection
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Managing your medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake
With early detection and proper treatment, glaucoma can be controlled and its progression can be slowed down. It is a serious eye disease that can lead to irreversible vision loss and blindness. Talk to your eye doctor about your options if you are concerned or have any questions about glaucoma.
