What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve. It causes a gradual decrease in sight, often without warning signs. In fact, experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it.
Optic nerve damage in glaucoma is often caused by high pressure in the eye, however there are types of glaucoma that cause vision loss without the presence of an elevated eye pressure.
What are the symptoms?
Many people do not experience symptoms of glaucoma in the early stages. As glaucoma progresses, patients can experience a decrease in their side (peripheral) vision. Symptoms of an acute attack of glaucoma can include eye pain, blurry vision, headache, redness, and haloed vision.
What are the risk factors of glaucoma?
Known risk factors for glaucoma include: a family history of glaucoma in a first degree relative, increased age, high intraocular pressure (IOP), and African American race. Other possible associations with glaucoma are diabetes, hypertension, myopia (nearsightedness), sleep apnea, migraine headaches, history of eye injury, and steroid use.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Glaucoma is diagnosed by a full eye examination including measurement of intraocular pressure, evaluation of the eye’s drainage angle (gonioscopy), evaluation of the optic nerve, and testing the visual field. These examinations are performed regularly to monitor glaucoma progression.
What are the types of glaucoma?
Generally, glaucoma falls into two broad categories: open angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease. It is caused by poor drainage of fluid from the angle of the eye, despite the fact that the angle is open. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the angle is blocked by the iris, and fluid cannot drain from the eye.
Other forms of glaucoma include normal tension glaucoma, which occurs in patients with an open angle and “normal” intraocular pressure. Exfoliative glaucoma (pseudoexfoliation) and pigmentary glaucoma are other specific forms of open angle glaucoma which have unique features and treatment approaches. Congenital glaucoma occurs when a child is born with anatomical defects that result in poor drainage from the eye.
How is glaucoma treated?
There is currently not a cure for glaucoma, however there are several options to help slow or prevent visual loss. Initial therapy for most types of glaucoma includes eye drops and/or glaucoma lasers to help reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). If these options fail to adequately decrease the IOP, surgery may be recommended.
Sandra Fernando-Sieminski, MD
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