Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It occurs when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye, increasing the pressure in the eye thereby causing damage to the optic nerve. So far, glaucoma has been the leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old.
Glaucoma is of two major types:
Primary open-angle glaucoma and Angle-closure glaucoma.
The primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and it happens where the eye does not drain fluid as well it should. This type does not cause pain or vision changes at first. For people whose optic nerves are sensitive to normal eye pressure, the risk of getting glaucoma is higher than normal.
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Angle-closure glaucoma happens when a person’s iris is very close to the drainage angle in the eye making it possible for the iris to end up blocking the drainage angle. When the drainage angle gets blocked completely, eye pressure rises very quickly unlike the primary open-angle, Angle-closure glaucoma has symptoms such as:
- Blurry vision
- Headache
- Severe eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
Generally, glaucoma suspects may not have signs of damage but may experience abnormal eye pressure called Ocular Hypertension where the eye pressure goes higher than normal.
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
• Anyone aged over 40
• Present in family History
• Have had an eye injury
• High eye pressure.
Note: The surest way to diagnose glaucoma is by visiting an eye clinic and undergoing an eye examination.
Once a person has been diagnosed with glaucoma, it cannot be reversed, however, medicine and surgery may help to stop further damage.
Using medications, glaucoma is usually controlled with eyedrop which helps to lower eye pressure by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes or reducing pressure by helping fluid flow better through the drainage angle.
The best way to prevent glaucoma is to be observant and visit an eye clinic regularly.
The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the chances of restoring your vision.
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