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What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
- In chronic form of glaucoma, usually patient have no complaint
in early stage or sometimes he may feel heaviness, headache or
have frequent change of spectacles. Only in advanced stage he
will experience reduced field of vision. In this type of glaucoma,
patient usually feels sudden attack of moderate to severe pain
in and around eye with blurring of vision and rarely vomiting
also. Sometimes patient may notice colorful circular halos around
point source of light (e.g. Electric Lamp)
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NORMAL EYE
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EARLY GLAUCOMA
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ADVANCED GLAUCOMA
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Who is at risk for Glaucoma?
You are at risk for glaucoma if you:
Are over the age of 40 and do not have regular eye exams
Have a family history of glaucoma
Have diabetes, myopia or high blood pressure
Suffer morning headaches or migraines
Experience recurrent blurry vision
See haloes around lights at night
Notice your peripheral (side) vision is decreasing
Experience pain around your eyes after watching TV
Have used steroid drugs (orally or inhaler) for any length of
time
Are of African-American or Asian-American descent
How is Glaucoma detected?
Regular eye examinations by your Ophthalmologist are the best way
to detect glaucoma. As a medical eye doctor, your Ophthalmologist
can detect and treat glaucoma. Various tests e.g. complete eye examination,
optic nerve evaluation, intraocular pressure checkup, visual field
charting (perimetry) and many other objective tests help to diagnose
the glaucoma even in very early stage.
FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPH
How is Glaucoma treated?
Glaucoma is usually controlled with eye drops which are generally
taken several times a day, sometimes in combination with pills.
These medications decrease eye pressure, either by slowing the production
of aqueous fluid within the eye or by improving the flow leaving
the drainage angle. For these medications to work, you must use
them regularly and continuously. As with any medication, it is important
to tell all of your doctors about the eye medications you are using.
Also, regular follow-up and eye examination is very important to
check control / progression of the disease.
Laser surgery may be effective for different types of glaucoma.
The laser is usually used in one of two ways:
- In open-angle glaucoma, the drain itself is treated. The laser
is used to enlarge the drain (trabeculoplasty) to help control
eye pressure.
- In angle-closure glaucoma, the laser creates a hole in the
iris (iridotomy) to improve the flow of aqueous fluid to the drain.
Operative surgery may sometimes be needed to control glaucoma.
This surgery is performed using miniature instruments to create
a new drainage channel for the aqueous fluid to leave the eye. The
new channel helps to lower the pressure.
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