Introduction:
Glaucoma is a group of conditions in which the optic nerve suffers damage due to increased pressure inside the eye leading to an inability to sight. If a patient does not take medicine regularly, blindness, Allah forbid, may occur. Glaucoma was named (blue water) as the patient sees sometimes blue halos around the sources of light.
Causes of Glaucoma:
The eye constantly excretes liquid (aqueous fluid inside the eyeball) to maintain its spherical shape. This fluid is discharged through tiny channels available in the eye angle i.e. between iris and cornea, in a manner which keeps the level of eye pressure within the natural limits.
The unbalance between the secreted and discharged quantity (i.e. when secretion is more than discharge because of narrowing of discharging channels) leads to gathering of aqueous humor within the eye, consequently raises the pressure within the eyeball, causes pressure on the optic nerve and retina and makes gradual damage to optic nerve.
Symptoms and Types:
- Open-angle Glaucoma: Gradual weakness in vision without feeling any pain;
- Eye pains
- Nausea
- Severe weakness in vision, especially in low light
- Seeing colored haloes around the source of light
- Redness of the eye
- Congenital Glaucoma: occurs in new born children or after few months from their birth, the symptoms include:
People Vulnerable to Be Affected with Glaucoma:
- People with ocular hypertension.
- The elderly.
- People descending from an African race.
- People with family history of Glaucoma.
- People suffering diseases, such as diabetes, heart disorders, high blood pressure and thyroid.
- Eye conditions, such as tumors, retinal detachment, nearsightedness and eye injuries.
- People using cortisone: particularly eye drops for a very long period.
Complications:
If left untreated, Glaucoma will cause loss of sight. It unusually passes through the following stages:
- Blind spots in the peripheral vision.
- Tunnel vision.
- Complete blindness.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of Glaucoma depends on the disease history and symptoms.
Clinical examinations which include:
- Measuring intraocular pressure.
- Testing the optic nerve to reveal slight changes that may indicate the beginnings of glaucoma.
- Testing the visual field.
- Testing visual acuity.
- Measuring cornea thickness.
Treatment:
Glaucoma diagnosis and early treatment are main factors for the prevention of blindness. The treatment focuses on reducing eye pressure to acceptable rates, thus avoiding damage of the optic nerve and tissue. The treatment includes:
Prevention:
Those over 40 years old should have their eyes examined every 3 to 5 years. People over 60 years old, their eyes should be examined annually.
Treatment of ocular hypertension reduces glaucoma incidences.
Eating healthy food and maintaining blood pressure within the natural limits.
Avoiding severe eye injuries by wearing protection glasses.