Glaucoma is some kind of illness that is responsible for damage to your eye’s optic nerve. The condition gets worse over time. It’s typically caused by an accumulation of pressure inside the eyes. Most people don’t develop it until later in life.
The pressure that is increased in your eye, also known as intraocular pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve that transmits pictures to the brain. If the damage gets worse the condition can result in permanent loss of vision or complete blindness in a matter of years.
The majority of people suffering from experience no symptoms at first or any discomfort. Make sure to visit your eye doctor on a regular basis to detect and treat glaucoma prior to it causing long-term vision loss.
It is difficult to regain your sight once it has been lost. However, lowering the pressure in your eyes can assist you in maintaining the sight that you have. The majority of people suffering from who adhere to their treatment plans and undergo regular eye examinations can keep their eyesight.
How prevalent is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of irreparable blindness. In reality, as more than 6 million people suffer from blindness in both eyes because of this condition. In the United States, around 3 million people in the world suffer and among them, 50% are not aware that they are suffering from this condition. The reason why they’re unaware of the existence of the disease is due to the fact that the initial signs of glaucoma are not apparent and then the reduction in side vision (peripheral sight) is often not noticed.
Five main kinds of glaucoma are available. They are:
Open-Angle (Chronic) Glaucoma
Chronic, or open-angle Glaucoma is not characterized by any indications or symptoms, other than the gradual loss of vision. The loss can be so slow that vision could be irreparably damaged before other symptoms become evident.
Angle-Closure (Acute) Glaucoma
In the event that the circulation of the aqueous humor is suddenly stopped and the rapid accumulation of fluid could cause a sudden, severe and painful rise in pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma can be a life-threatening circumstance. It is important to contact your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms like severe nausea, pain blurred vision, or severe pain.
Congenital Glaucoma
Children born with congenital glaucoma suffer from an angle defect in their eyes, which hinders or stops regular fluid drain. Glaucoma is congenital and can be found in families.
Secondary Glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma can be caused by injuries or other eye conditions like eye tumors or cataracts. Certain medications, like corticosteroids, can also trigger this kind. Sometimes, eye surgery may result in secondary glaucoma.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
In some instances, those who don’t have increased pressure in their eyes are afflicted with damage to the optic nerve. The reason for this isn’t understood. However, excessive hypersensitivity or insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve could be a contributing factor to this kind of glaucoma.
Factors Associated with Glaucoma Risks
In the majority of cases, the intraocular pressure could increase and cause vision loss without causing any obvious signs. Therefore, the early detection of is crucial since this condition is often treated in the early stages of detection. The 10 most significant risk factors that can cause to comprise the following:
- Age > 45
- The family history of glaucoma
- Black race ancestry
- Diabetes
- A history of high intraocular pressure
- Reduced corneal thickness as well as rigidity
- nearsightedness (high amount of myopia) is the inability of seeing distant objects clearly
- A history of injury to the eye
- The use of cortisone (steroids) whether in the eyes or in a systemic manner (orally or in an injection)
- The term “farsightedness” refers to ( hyperopia), in which the eye perceives distant objects more easily than objects that are close to them. (Farsighted individuals may suffer from narrow drainage angles that can cause them to be susceptible to a sudden and acute attack of angle closure .)
Treatment Options for Glaucoma
Although there isn’t a treatment, there are many treatment options, such as the use of eye drops and laser treatments for glaucoma, as well as surgery. Doctors are aware of how to treat it after it’s identified however, this is contingent upon the visit to your eye doctor to get an assessment. The treatment cannot repair the damage that has already been done however it can slow or stop vision loss and even prevent it from occurring in the other eye.
This is why it’s always advisable to check in with your physician for examinations particularly if you suspect that you’re at risk. Treatment for glaucoma may be in the form of medications or surgery.
Eye Drops
Topical medications, which come as prescription drops help to reduce pressure inside your eye, thereby protecting the optic nerve and maintaining vision. In many instances, people suffer. it is necessary to make use of drops to treat their eyes for the rest all their lives.
Oral medication
Super lash bimatoprost is sometimes administered via the mouth, but it is typically reserved for times of extremely intense intraocular pressure.
Laser Surgery
The glaucoma laser procedure is also frequently used and is effective in many people, it generally has to be repeated at minimum every five years. Also, it may decrease in effectiveness as it’s repeated.
Surgery
Treatment may also be performed in the form of minimally-invasive surgery, trabecular, and surgery to shunt. Trabecular and shunt surgeries reduce the requirement for medications and open new channels to drain the fluid from the eye. A minimally-invasive procedure involves making tiny incisions that cause minimal trauma to the eye and allows the aqueous humor to flow.