Glaucoma

How much do you know about glaucoma? If you heard the word you are lucky, but keep reading because you might not know the most important. If you haven’t heard, Lucky you!! Begin to read immediately.

What is it?

Glaucoma can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. However, recent findings now show that glaucoma can occur with normal eye pressure.

There are two major categories “open angle” and “closed angle” glaucoma. Open angle, is a chronic condition that progress slowly over long period of time without the person noticing vision loss until the disease is very advanced. Angle closure can appear suddenly and is painful. Visual loss can progress quickly; however, the pain and discomfort lead patients to seek medical attention before permanent damage occurs

Can we identify it early?

No early symptoms can be seen. Loss of side (peripheral) vision, blindness can be identified as later symptoms. Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk. You’re at higher risk if you,

• Are over age 60

• Are African American or Hispanic/Latino and over age 40

• Have a family history of glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma can cause these sudden symptoms:

• Intense eye pain

• Upset stomach (nausea)

• Red eye

• Blurry vision

If you identify that you are at any of these symptoms, please be hurry to a hospital.

Treatments?

Can be identified through “Dilated Eye Exam”. This test is painless and simple. your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and then check your eyes for glaucoma and other eye problems. The exam includes a visual field test to check your peripheral (side) vision. Medicine (usually eye drops), laser treatment, surgery can be appointed as treatment by a physician.

Did you know?

Glaucoma can happen in one eye or both eyes. Some people with high eye pressure don’t get glaucoma and there’s a type of glaucoma that happens in people with normal eye pressure. The amount of eye pressure that’s normal varies by person. However, what’s normal for one person could be high for another.

Dig up for more!!

Penned By K.M.Veenavee Anuththara