GLAUCOMA

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GLAUCOMA

• By Kimsue Chang

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WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?

• Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage
  the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the main
  nerve to the eye (located in the back of the eye)
  that is responsible for transmitting electrical
  impulses to the brain.

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What are the types of Glaucoma?

• There are many types of glaucoma, but the two
  most common types are open-angle glaucoma and
  closed angle (angle-closure) glaucoma.
• Closed angle glaucoma, (also called acute
  glaucoma or angle closure glaucoma), accounts for
  about 9 percent of all glaucoma cases and occurs
  when the opening between the cornea and iris
  narrows, such that the fluid cannot get to the
  trabecular meshwork and normal drainage channels.
  
• Open-angle glaucoma, (also called primary
  open-angle glaucoma and chronic glaucoma)
  accounts for 90 percent of all glaucoma cases and
  occurs when the trabecular meshwork becomes
  blocked and the fluid can't get to the normal
  drainage canals.

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What are the risk factors of Glaucoma?

• There is a 20 percent chance of developing
  glaucoma if a parent had it and 50 percent chance
  if a sibling has it.
• If a person is 65 to 79 years of age, there is a
  3 percent chance of developing glaucoma.
• Race - Blacks are three to four times more likely
  than Caucasians to develop glaucoma.
• Asians and Eskimos are more likely to develop
  glaucoma than Caucasians.

• If the person is 80 years of age or older, there
  is a 14 percent of developing glaucoma.
• Medical conditions, such as morning headaches,
  diabetes, lupus, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid
  arthritis, myopia (nearsightedness), and high
  blood pressure and also the use of topical
  steroid (prednisone or cortisone) medications can
  also lead to Glaucoma.

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What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?

• Tiny blind spots appear at the edges of the
  visual field (peripheral or side vision) that
  slowly get larger and spread
• Blurred vision
• Appearance of colored halos around lights
• Adjustment problems on entering a dark room
• Repeated difficulties that new eyeglass
  prescriptions do not help
• Peripheral (side) vision is decreasing
• Severely blurred vision
• Severe eye and head pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Appearance of rainbow-colored halos around bright
  lights
• Rapid loss of vision

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What are the Preventions?

• While glaucoma cannot be prevented, the earlier
  it is diagnosed the better. Recommendations for
  early detection include
• 1. Have a test every two to four years if you are
  between the ages of 40 and 65.
• 2. Have a test every one to two years.

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What are the treatments?

• Three types of treatments are available for
  Glaucoma 1) medication -- eye drops and pills,
  2) laser procedures and 3) incision surgery.
• Medications
• Laser procedures
• Incision surgery