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What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease that, if left untreated, can gradually cause permanent vision loss. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve provides the pathway to send images from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma makes the transmission of these images to the brain more difficult.
Glaucoma can steal sight without warning, as there may not be any symptoms during the early stages of the disease. There is no cure for glaucoma, however, medications, laser treatments and/or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. Early detection is vital to slowing or halting the progression of the disease.
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Most Common Types of Glaucoma and Treatment
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma. This type of glaucoma occurs when the clear fluid in the eye (aqueous humor), which circulates and provides nourishment to the optic nerve, increases, causing increased pressure (intraocular pressue IOP) in the eye. The pressure increase can be from overproduction of the fluid or a decrease in the fluid drainage from the eye. Open Angle Glaucoma happens when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time. This type of glaucoma develops slowly and can cause a gradual loss of vision, sometimes without noticeable sight loss for many years. This type of glaucoma responds well to medication, especially if caught and treated in the early stages of the disease.
Angle Closure Glaucoma
Sometimes referred to as acute or narrow angle glaucoma, this type of the disease is less common and very different from open angle glaucoma. The pressure in the eye usually rises quickly, causing symptoms such as headaches, eye pain, nausea, rainbows around lights at night and very blurred vision. The pressure increases due to the blockage of the drainage canals of the eye, similar to a sink with something covering the drain. This type of glaucoma develops when the iris is not as wide and open as it should be. The outer edge of the iris, when dilated, bunches up over the drainage canals, causing a blockage. Treatment usually involves a simple laser procedure to remove a small portion of the outer edge of the iris. This keeps the iris from covering the drainage canals. This procedure is usually successful and long lasting. Regular eye exams are necessary to check for proper drainage. In some cases, medications are needed to treat this condition.
Normal Tension Glaucoma
This type of glaucoma is also known as low-tension glaucoma or normal pressure glaucoma. Normal tension glaucoma is diagnosed when an ophthalmologist examines the eye and finds damage to the optic nerve. Normal tension glaucoma is an accurate description for this disease because it occurs even when the patients intra-ocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) is within normal ranges. It is not known why some people’s optic nerves suffer damage with normal intraocular pressure. Most doctors treat this type of glaucoma with medications to maintain low pressure, as well as laser procedure and surgery.
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. Everyone should be screened for glaucoma when undergoing their annual eye examinations. Certain groups, however, have a higher risk than others:
- African Americans
- People Over 60
- Family History of Glaucoma
- Asians (Angle Closure Glaucoma)
- Eye Injury (Blunt injuries can damage the eye's drainage system)
- High Myopia (Extreme Nearsightedness)
- Diabetics
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New Treatment Options
Selective Laser Trabeculectomy
For more information regarding the latest laser treatment option for glaucoma, click on the following website for more information.
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For More Information
To learn more about glaucoma and glaucoma treatment, contact our office. Dr. McGuinness also recommends that you visit the following informative websites:
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