Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain and is responsible for transmitting visual information. The damage is typically caused by increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness.

There are two main types of glaucoma:

Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common form of glaucoma and occurs when the drainage channels in the eye become blocked, causing IOP to increase gradually over time. This type of glaucoma usually has no symptoms in its early stages, and vision loss can occur gradually without the patient noticing.
Angle-closure glaucoma: This type of glaucoma occurs when the angle between the iris and the cornea is too narrow, which can block the drainage of fluid from the eye and cause a sudden increase in IOP. This can lead to severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and blurred vision. It’s considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Symptoms of glaucoma include:

Gradual loss of peripheral vision
Tunnel vision
Halos around lights
Eye pain
Redness of the eye
Nausea and vomiting

There is currently no cure for glaucoma, but early detection and treatment can slow the progression of the disease and prevent vision loss. Treatment options include:

Medications: such as eye drops, pills, or injections to lower IOP.
Laser surgery: to improve the drainage of fluid from the eye
Conventional surgery: to create a new drainage channel for the fluid

Regular eye exams are important to detect glaucoma early, especially for people over 40 or with a family history of the disease. The majority of people who are diagnosed with glaucoma do not require surgery. Your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye exam to check for glaucoma and will discuss the best treatment options for your specific condition.