What Is Glaucoma: Its Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & More

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July 13, 2022

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What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve. This is a serious condition as the optic nerve is extremely important for good vision. This damage in the eye is caused due to abnormal build-up of high pressure in the eye. The condition generally develops for people at a later stage in life and is sometimes even hereditary. Worsening damage to the eye can even cause permanent vision loss within a few years.There are no symptoms or pain in the eye caused due to Glaucoma and once vision is lost, it will most likely not be regained naturally. Thus, lowering eye pressure is the most effective way to reduce the Risks of Glaucoma.There are two main kinds of Glaucoma, they are:

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of eye condition. It is also sometimes called wide-angle glaucoma. While the meshwork like structure in your eye looks fine, the fluid doesn’t really flow out causing the problem.
Angle-closure glaucoma is a more common type of eye condition in the Asian region. It is also known as acute, chronic angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma. This type is caused because the drain space between the iris and cornea becomes too narrow disabling the fluid to flow, as it should. This could cause a sudden buildup of pressure inside the eye and is also linked to farsightedness and cataracts.

The less common types of glaucoma are as follows:

Secondary glaucoma- - This is caused due to the pressure build-up of another underlying eye condition such as cataracts or diabetes
Normal-tension glaucoma – This type is caused due to blind spots in your vision or when your optic nerve is damaged, although your eye pressure is within the average range. It is also considered as another form of open angled glaucoma.
Pigmentary glaucoma – In this type, small bits of pigments from your iris enter into the fluid causing clogging in the drainage canals of your eye.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Most of the people contracted with glaucoma do not experience any symptoms. However, if there are any symptoms it is usually developed in the later stages of the disease. It thus got its name “sneak thief of vision”. Nevertheless, the main glaucoma Sign or Symptom is the loss of sight or vision.However, angle glaucoma Symptoms are usually shown quicker and are evident. They grow quickly, causing more damage as well. Some of these glaucoma Symptoms are:

Seeing halos around lights
Loss of vision
Eye redness
Hazy eyes (particularly in infants)
Eye pain

Risk Factors of Glaucoma

In general, glaucoma is said to affect older people. However, at times even young adults and children can contract it. Some of the glaucoma Risk Factors are:

If you are over the age of 40
If your family has a history of glaucoma
If you have a naturally poor vision
Diabetic patients
If you are required to take certain steroid medications like prednisone
An eye injury or chemical accident
If your cornea is thinner than usual
High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or sickle cell anemia can also be a Risk Factor for Glaucoma
Have high eye pressure due to over-usage or exposure of the eye
Have nearsighted or farsighted vision impair

Causes of Glaucoma

Aqueous humor is a fluid inside our eyes that flows out through a mesh-like channel. This liquid is built up if this channel gets blocked. While why this blockage occurs is still not found, however, it is known to be inherited sometimes.There are less common Causes of Glaucoma such as a chemical injury in your eye, a severe eye infection, inflammatory conditions, or even blood vessels that are blocked inside your eye. While this might often affect both eyes, it is usually worse in one eye than the other.

Glaucoma Diagnosis

Glaucoma tests are quick and usually pain-free. Your ophthalmologist will use eye drops to dilate your pupil and then examine your eyes and vision. A tonometry test is also done to check the pressure in your eyes.At Care.fit, we have experienced ophthalmologists to help cure glaucoma by reducing the pressure in your eye. With regular treatment and check-ups and some of the best medicines for glaucoma, we can assure you quality glaucoma Treatment.

Glaucoma Treatment

Along with Treatment and medicines, there are also some personal exercises and lifestyle habits one must create if you are looking for a glaucoma cure. Your personal eye doctor will help build this for you. Additionally, laser surgery for your eye is also an option to help cure the condition. There are different laser surgery procedures such as Iridotomy, Trabeculoplasty, and Cyclophotocoagulation. Depending on the cause of the condition, the surgery is performed.

Glaucoma Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure and it is important that we follow certain principles in our everyday activities in order to reduce pressure in the eye and build up eye strength. Some tips for glaucoma Prevention would be regular eye check-ups, exercise, eye-protective wear when exposed to chemicals or harmful substances and it is always good and safe to learn about your family history.

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