Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disorder that can cause damage to the optic nerve, typically due to increased pressure within the eye. It often progresses slowly and can lead to vision loss if not treated early.

Symptoms- These can vary depending on the type of glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma often develops slowly and painlessly, with no early warning signs. Acute angle-closure glaucoma results from a sudden blockage of drainage channels in the eye, presenting with blurred vision, the appearance of halos or colored rings around lights, and pain and redness in the eye or nausea, vomiting and headache.

Who is at risk of glaucoma –

  • Age above 40 years
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Ethnicity- African, Hispanic, or Asian
  • Have high eye pressure
  • Are farsighted or nearsighted
  • History of trauma
  • Use of long-term steroid usage
  • Systemic disease- diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure

How to diagnose- To look for glaucoma, ophthalmologist can perform following tests –

  • Visual acuity - to check vision loss
  • Tonometry - to check eye pressure
  • Gonioscopy - This examines the drainage angle of the eye to determine if it's open or closed, which helps classify the type of glaucoma.
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT) - can provide detailed images of the optic nerve and measure its thickness, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring.
  • Perimetry test - glaucoma damages your optic nerve leading to peripheral vision loss. Perimetry detects this loss by systematically testing different areas of visual field.
  • Pachymetry - measures thickness of cornea
  • Dilated fundus examination

Can Glaucoma Affect Children?

Glaucoma can present from birth (congenital) or develop later in childhood(juvenile). Congenital glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that occurs in infants and young children. It is typically present at birth or develops within the first few years of life. This condition is rare and occurs due to an abnormality in the eye’s drainage system, which leads to increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure).

Symptoms of congenital glaucoma may include excessive tearing, sensitivity to light (photophobia), cloudy appearance of the cornea, enlarged eye(s), and sometimes, blinking or squeezing of the eyes due to discomfort.

Management of glaucoma focuses on reducing intraocular pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Treatment options include:

Medications

Eye drops or oral medications to reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing production of aqueous humor or improving its drainage.

Laser Therapy

Procedures like selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) or laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) can help improve drainage of fluid from the eye.

Surgery

If medications and laser therapy are insufficient, surgical options such as trabeculectomy or implantation of drainage devices may be considered.

Glaucoma is often referred to as “ silent thief of sight” because it can progress and without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred. This is why regular follow-up with an eye care professional is essential to monitor the progression of glaucoma and adjust treatment as needed to preserve vision.

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