What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve. In the majority of the cases, the damage is caused because of unusual pressure in the eye. This pressure is caused by the build-up of fluid in the eye. Glaucoma is commonly seen in people who are past the age of sixty. However, it can happen to anyone at any age. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in old people. If glaucoma becomes severe, vision can be lost. The blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible.
Disease
Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve. In the majority of the cases, there is a fluid build-up in the front part of the eye. This fluid build-up eventually exerts pressure on the eye and damages the optic nerve. This pressure is called intraocular pressure. Glaucoma can run in families. However, they are not found until later in life. There are different types of glaucomas that can be seen in people. Open-angle glaucoma is the most commonly seen. In this, there are small deposits that build up in the eye’s drainage canal and clog them over time. This will cause fluid to build up and put pressure on the eye. There is closed-angle glaucoma, in which the angle between the cornea and the iris is too small. This causes fluid to not drain properly and puts pressure on the eye. This type of glaucoma may be acute. Glaucoma can happen when the eye pressure is normal. It is called normal-tension glaucoma. Experts aren’t aware of the exact reason why this type of glaucoma happens. However, it is seen mostly in Asians. Glaucoma can be congenital as well. In rare cases, babies are born with drainage canals that haven’t developed properly while they are still in the womb. This condition is called congenital glaucoma. The medical professional may be able to identify this type of glaucoma at birth.
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TREATMENTS
Diagnosis
Glaucoma often goes unnoticed, regular eye exams will be required to measure the pressure in the eyes. The medical professional might perform a dilated eye exam, where the pupils are artificially dilated so that the optic nerve is visible. An optical coherence tomography will be done to look for any changes in the optic nerve, that might be an indication of glaucoma. Some of the other tests that might be done to diagnose glaucoma are optical coherence tomography, ocular pressure test, slit-lamp exam, visual acuity test, etc.
Surgery
If glaucoma is left untreated, it can lead to permanent blindness. It is important to visit a medical professional if there is pain or pressure in the eye. Eye drops are prescribed to treat glaucoma. The eye drops will increase drainage and decrease the fluids so that the pressure in the eye can be reduced. The patient might have to use eye drops forever as glaucoma is a lifelong condition. Laser treatments can be used to treat glaucomas as well. The medical professional can use laser treatments to help the drainage improvements. However, even after laser treatment, the patient may have to use eye drops. Laser treatments are seen to last up to five years. Some laser treatments can be repeated as well. Surgery is an alternative for glaucoma. The type of surgery will be determined based on the type of glaucoma and its severity. Surgery will help to improve drainage and slow down the loss of vision, much more effectively than eye drops or laser treatments. However, surgery will not be able to reverse the blindness or damage caused by glaucoma.
Causes
- Chronic constipation
- Painful bowel movements
- Nausia
Symptoms
- Discomfort while sitting
- Swelling & Itching
- Painful bowel movements
- Excessive Bleeding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged. A fluid buildup in the front region of the eye is seen in the majority of instances. This fluid build-up eventually puts pressure on the eye, causing the optic nerve to be damaged.
What should glaucoma patients avoid?
Glaucoma patients should avoid Caffeine. Caffeine may raise intraocular pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, according to certain research. Other things include weight-lifting, saturated fats, trans fats, etc.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma develops for a variety of reasons. Glaucoma is caused by an increase in intraocular pressure in the majority of cases.
Can blindness caused by glaucoma be reversed?
No. if glaucoma causes blindness it is irreversible.
Does glaucoma cause pain?
Glaucoma might cause pain in the eye and intense headaches.
