Glaucoma - Symptoms and Treatment

Glaucoma is a eye disorder in which the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, leading to vision loss or even blindness. It gradually steals sight without warning and often without symptoms. Increased pressure in the eyeball due to obstruction of the outflow of aqueous humor; damages the optic disc and impairs vision. Glaucoma in other words is a group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure resulting in damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers. Nearly three million people have glaucoma in the United States

Causes of Glaucoma

1) Poor blood supply to the optic nerve or a weakness in the nerve

2) Aging and race(blacks)

3) Central corneal thickness and Glaucoma

4) Suspicious optic nerve appearance (cupping > 50% or assymetry)

5) Positive family history of glaucoma in a first degree relative

Symptoms of Glaucoma

At first stage it hardly shows any signs of it in primary stage but gradually shows it in advanced stage leading to rise in eye pressure. Following are symptoms of Glaucoma

1)Blurred vision
2)Halos around lights
3)Reddening of the eye
4)Severe eye pain
5)Nausea and vomiting

Treatment of Glaucoma

Following are the treatment given to a Glaucoma patient:

1)Iridotomy specially done in acute angle-closure

2)Eye drops including Beta-blockers, Alpha agonists, Prostaglandin/prostamide analogues, Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Cholinergic agonists

3) Laser treatment can be used to enlarge the tiny holes in the eyes' filtration system

4) Surgery (trabeculectomy)