Glaucoma is a grouping of correlated common eye diseases which could make a person blind. Several people having glaucoma are unaware of its presence since symptoms do not become apparent till harm has already been done to the optic nerve. Optic nerve conveys image to the brain from the eyes. Harm to the optic nerve occurs as a result of augmented fluid pressure within the eye.
Primary open-angle glaucoma is among the most common eye diseases and its causes are still not totally clear. Even when there is no rise in eye pressure glaucoma could develop and this type of condition is known as normal tension or low tension glaucoma.
Glaucoma Risk Factors:
Being one of the common eye diseases, Glaucoma could develop in any person although the following individuals are at maximum risk.
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Those above sixty years of age, especially from Mexican-American ethnicity. - Afro-American people above forty years of age.
- Afro-American people having elevated eye pressure, thickening in cornea or optic nerve issues.
- Any person who has suffered an acute injury to the eye.
- Individuals having some medical problems like those who are diabetics.
- Any person having a family case history of glaucoma.
- An individual having elevated eye pressure yet absence of optic nerve harm.
Glaucoma Symptoms:
With glaucoma advancing, those affected by it would observe advancing eyesight failure inclusive of:
- Fuzzy eyesight.
- Narrowing in peripheral vision.
- Difficulties faced when one tries to focus.
- Corona effect around light.
Glaucoma Treatment:
Since glaucoma is not curable and vision failure is not restorable, yet early identification and treating it could shield from acute eyesight failure.
Glaucoma treatment could comprise of:
- Eye drop medicines or tablets to assist in reducing eye pressure.
- Laser therapy for draining eye fluid.
- Surgical intervention for creating a new-fangled aperture for fluid drainage from the eye.
Those people who have been advised to take glaucoma-treating medicine should follow the doctor’s instructions as per directed.
Glaucoma Prevention:
The best policy for glaucoma prevention is normal eye pressure maintenance. A trained eye specialist would be able to ascertain what level of eye pressure is deemed normal for a particular individual.
It is advisable to undergo a complete eye examination in every 1-2 yearly time intervals. The ophthalmologist would be able to spot elevated eye pressure or could ascertain whether the person is at elevated risk of glaucoma. In such scenarios, the person would be advised to employ eye drops or seek medical advice more frequently. Several individuals who have a risk of developing glaucoma could be benefited by the use of eye drops which could lower risk by nearly fifty percent.
In case there has been some extent of vision loss because of glaucoma then the ophthalmologist could give referral to low vision services which could assist the person is making the most of whatever remnant vision he/she has.
Read more at : 4 Common Eye Diseases – Part III
