2. WHAT IS
GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a condition that
causes damage to your eye's
optic nerve and gets worse over
time. It's often linked to a buildup
of pressure inside
your eye. Glaucoma tends to be
inherited and may not show up
until later in life.
The increased pressure, called
intraocular pressure, can damage
the optic nerve, which transmits
images to your brain. If the
damage continues, glaucoma can
lead to permanent vision loss.
Without treatment, glaucoma
can cause total permanent
blindness within a few years.
3. SYMPTOMS
Patchy blind spots in
your side (peripheral) or
central vision, frequently
in both eyes.
Tunnel vision in the
advanced stages.
Blurred vision. Severe eye pain.
Headache. Rainbow haloes.
Nausea and vomiting.
4. CAUSES
Glaucoma tends to run in families. In some people,
scientists have identified genes related to high eye
pressure and optic nerve damage.
Elevated eye pressure is due to a buildup of a fluid (aqueous
humor) that flows throughout the inside of your eye.This
internal fluid normally drains out through a tissue called the
trabecular meshwork at the angle where the iris and cornea
meet. When fluid is overproduced or the drainage system
doesn't work properly, the fluid can't flow out at its normal
rate and eye pressure increases.
5. PREVENTION
Know your family's eye health
history.
Get regular dilated eye
examinations.
Exercise safely.
Take prescribed eye drops
regularly.
Wear eye protection.
6. TREATMENT
The damage caused by glaucoma can't be
reversed. But treatment and regular checkups
can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if
you catch the disease in its early stages.The
other treatments are-
Eye drops.
Oral medications.
Surgery and therapy. Eg- laser therapy,
Flitering surgery, Drainage tubes, Minimally
invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
