|
Home > Eye
conditions > Glaucoma
Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye which is noted by its
increased
pressure within the eyeball (or ocular hypertension).
If left untreated, glaucoma
can damage
the optic
nerve and cause loss of vision.
Causes of Glaucoma
The anterior chamber, situated at the front of the eye,
requires fluid to flow in and out of the chamber to bathe
and nourish
nearby
tissues. In Patients with glaucoma
the fluid does not drain quickly enough from the eye, resulting
in a build up of pressure. Unless
this pressure is
controlled, there may be damage to the optic nerve and other
parts of the eye resulting in a loss of vision. Increased pressure
inside the eye, known as ocular
hypertension can caus glaucoma.
Possible
causes of Glaucoma include:
• Eye surgery
• Advanced cataracts
• Tumors
• Uveitis
• Diabetes
• Injury or damage to the eye
• Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
Diagnosis of Glaucoma
Areas that are examined in determining whether a patient
has glaucoma include:
• Eye Pressure Examination
• Drainage Pathway Examination
• Optic Nerve Examination
• Visual Field Examination
A diagnosis of glaucoma will result from a suggestion
of damage to the optic nerve, evident from a dilated eye
examination of the optic nerve. A strong indication of glaucoma
is a loss of peripheral vision.
A large number of people affected by glaucoma are unaware
that they have the condition, However early
diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.
Treatments for Glaucoma
Treatments for Galucoma include medication in the form of
eye drops and pills, laser treatment and
surgery.
Medical treatments
Medical treatments help
to decrease the production of fluid in the eye, and can
help to drain the fluid from the eye, through a different
pathway at the back of the eye.
Laser treatments
A trabeculoplasty can be performed with
an argon laser, inorder to allow aqueous
fluid leave the eye more efficiently. This form of laser
treatment is painless and nearly 80%
of patients respond well, delaying
or avoiding further surgery. However, pressure increases
are expected in
over half of patients within two years of laser
surgery.
Surgery
Open surgery may be performed
if medical and laser treatments do not successfully
reduce pressure within the eye. A trabeculectomy creates
an opening in the wall of the eye so that aqueous humor
can drain. Most patients can discontinue glaucoma medication
after surgery, although 10 to 15% will require additional
surgery.
Surgery may save remaining vision, but eye sight may actually
be worse following surgery. It is important that glaucoma
is detected early on.
|
