GLAUCOMA CARE AND TREATMENT

Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve in your eye. The optic nerve receives signals from your retina and sends them to your brain. Glaucoma can lead to impaired vision and blindness. There is no cure for glaucoma. However, early diagnosis and treatment can control the symptoms and preserve your vision. Healthy eyes maintain a steady level of internal pressure, called intraocular pressure. To maintain this pressure, your eye produces new fluid and allows an equal amount of fluid to flow out.
If you have glaucoma, you have too much fluid in your eye. This leads to abnormally high intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve. When the optic nerve is damaged, it can cause permanent vision loss. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.

There are a few different types of glaucoma, including:

 

• Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma. Clogged drainage canals cause the pressure around your eye to gradually increase. The high pressure damages the optic nerve.
• Closed-angle glaucoma: This is a less common form of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure rises suddenly due to blocked drainage canals. The high pressure can quickly damage your optic nerve.
• Normal-tension glaucoma: This is a less common form of glaucoma. Your intraocular pressure is within the normal range, but your optic nerve is still damaged.
• Secondary glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is the result of other eye conditions, diseases, or injuries that damage the optic nerve.

Patients with open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma experience completely different symptoms.
If you have open-angle glaucoma, you may not notice any symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, you may encounter loss of peripheral vision, blank spots, and tunnel vision.
If left untreated, open-angle glaucoma can result in blindness. Since there are no symptoms in the early stages, regular screenings are important. Your ophthalmologist can detect and treat open-angle glaucoma before it results in vision loss.
Closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

• Eye pain.
• Headache.
• Redness in the eyes.
• Sudden visual disturbances.
• Halos or rainbows around lights.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Patients with normal-tension glaucoma or secondary glaucoma may experience any of these symptoms. If you are having problems with your vision, seek medical attention. Your ophthalmologist can diagnose glaucoma during a complete eye exam. The eye pressure test is an important part of the examination. However, you may have normal-tension glaucoma if your intraocular pressure is within the normal range.
Your doctor will also examine the drainage angle to determine what type of glaucoma you have. Next, your ophthalmologist can use an instrument to determine if your optic never is damaged. Finally, your doctor can conduct visual acuity and visual field tests to see how glaucoma has affected your vision. Treatments for glaucoma include medication and surgery. Your ophthalmologist can help you select the best treatments based on the details of your case.
Many patients can control their symptoms with medicated eye drops. Medication can control glaucoma by slowing the production of fluid in your eye. Some medications can also improve the flow through the drainage canal. Eye drops must be used daily to control the symptoms of glaucoma. Use the eye drops as prescribed by your ophthalmologist.
Some patients with glaucoma may need surgery. Laser eye surgery is a popular treatment for glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist can perform a variety of procedures. These treatments will allow the fluid to drain from your eye and decrease intraocular pressure.
There are many ways to treat glaucoma. Balance the risks and side effects with the benefits. If you have glaucoma, work with your ophthalmologist to find the best way to preserve your vision.