Glaucoma

Symptoms and treatment of glaucoma

Glaucoma can begin at any age, but the rates of primary glaucoma (particularly open-angle glaucoma) increase with advancing age. One of the most common causes of blindness for people over 40 is glaucoma, and it affects around 1 in 50 people in this age group. Glaucoma is the third-largest cause of blindness worldwide, and it’s mostly heredity. While the exact pattern of inheritance is not established, close relatives of glaucoma patients have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.

The eye is separated into anterior and posterior chambers by the lens and by a muscle, called the ciliary muscle, which supports it. There is also a structure called the ciliary body which produces a fluid called aqueous humor that fills the anterior chamber. This needs to be continuously drained, but when glaucoma is present, this does not happen. This causes pressure in the eyeball to rise and causes problems with sight.

Causes

Apart from genetic inheritance, other factors that can lead to glaucoma are myopia, diabetes, retinal vein occlusion, hypertension, intraocular tumors, cataracts, accidental and surgical trauma and inflammations in the eye. People are often unaware that they even have this condition because they don’t suffer from any obvious symptoms. Nonetheless, it’s important to detect it early to avoid severe deterioration of sight.

Diagnosis

The only real way of knowing that glaucoma is present is by a physical examination of the eye by an optometrist who may be able to see the problem with an ophthalmoscope. An optometrist may notice if there are any areas of blindness in the part of the eye that is not used for detailed vision, since this is the area initially affected by glaucoma. People tend not to notice the onset of glaucoma right away, because the area of the eye used for detailed vision is not affected at first.

Treatment

Treatment usually consists of drops that are placed in the eye three or four times daily to improve the rate of fluid drainage. Sometimes, surgery may be required to create a new outlet for the fluid. Treatment does not always work, and in some cases the person may become progressively blind no matter what treatment is used. Once sight has been lost, it cannot be restored, so early diagnosis and treatment is essential.