Known as "High Eye Pressure"
Early diagnosis is of importance…
Glocoma which is known as high eye pressure necessitates regular eye examination…
Glaucoma, known as "Eye Pressure" among people, is optic nerve damage due to often increase of intraocular pressure. As a result, the person's visual field narrows gradually. Glaucoma is an insidious disease that is noticed only at its latest stages and if diagnosed very late, it may lead to serious damages of the optic nerve that cannot be recovered.
Who can have Glaucoma?
- In people whose intraocular pressure is higher than normal, the risk of developing glaucoma is higher, but it does not mean that everyone with high intraocular pressure may have glaucoma.
- Glaucoma risk increases in people above 60.
- Glaucoma may be related to genetics. Risk of developing glaucoma is higher in people who have glaucoma in the family.
- Risk of developing glaucoma is higher in people with diabetes and thyroid disorders.
- Serious eye injuries can cause the increase of intraocular pressure. Other risk factors are retinal detachment, eye tumors and chronic uveitis. Some eye surgeries may also trigger the development of secondary glaucoma.
- Glaucoma incidence is almost doubled in myopia.
- Long-term use of cortisone (as drops, oral use or skin pomade etc.) can cause the development of secondary glaucoma.
Regular eye examinations are important for people with these characteristics for an early detection of nerve damage.
Causes of Glaucoma
When the intraocular fluid, which is excreted into the eye and necessary for the nutrition of the eye, cannot be drained, then the intraocular pressure increases. The increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve cells.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
- Headaches that become evident in the mornings,
- Blurry vision from time to time,
- Seeing halos at night around objects,
- Ache around the eye while watching TV,
What are the Factors that increase the Risk of Glaucoma?
- Family history of glaucoma
- Age above 35
- Diabetes
- Severe anemia or shock
- High-Low systemic blood pressure
- High myopia
- High hyperopia
- Migraine
- Long-term use of cortisone
- Eye injuries
- Race factors
Since the risk of developing glaucoma is high in people with above characteristics, it is appropriate for them to have regular eye examinations for the early diagnosis of the optic nerve damage.
Treatment of Glaucoma
Treatment of GlaucomaThere are three main paths for the treatment of glaucoma.
- Medical Treatment
First, the eye pressure of the patient is decreased by diminishing the fluid production of the eye or increasing the output. There are drugs used for those two methods. Those are drugs that are used periodically every day and for lifetime. If the eye pressure of the patient is not decreased despite the medication and the visual field is narrowing the next treatment is surgery.
- Surgery
During surgery, a hole is opened in white part of the eye. The extra fluid is discharged through that hole which is too small to be noticed from outside. The intraocular pressure usually decreases after surgery. This does not happen with all the patients.
- Laser Treatment
Firstly, laser for the treatment of eye pressure is used in the treatment of acute glaucoma crisis and to prevent other eye to have a glaucoma crisis. Secondly, in chronic glaucoma cases, laser is applied to the filter-like outflow channels to facilitate the discharge of fluid produced in the eye. Another common use of a laser in the treatment of eye pressure is the laser application on the outside of the eye, the colored part around the white area. The aim is to destroy the area into the eye that excretes the eye fluid and to decrease the production of eye fluids.
The Congenital Glaucoma (Glaucoma in infants)
The congenital glaucoma is one of the major diseases of newborn infants. Even though its manifestations may not be recognized initially, growth of ocular balls of the baby draws attention as the disease progresses. Moreover, symptoms such as oversensitivity to light and the excessive lachrymation also develop. If the disease would not be treated, corneal layer of the eye is blurred and blanched gradually in further stages. Consequently, the baby's eye-sight would be lost gradually. If the disease can be diagnosed in an early period, the ocular pressure may be decreased, and loss of sight may be prevented by way of surgery. However, in the infants with the Congenital Glaucoma, the ocular pressure may increase again after certain period of time following the operation, and a secondary surgery may be necessary. Congenital Glaucoma is far more persistent type than the Glaucoma suffered by adults, therefore, sometimes multiple surgeries may be necessary.
Symptoms of the Congenital Glaucoma
The very first symptom is usually the corneal blurring (haziness of the transparent layer). Excessive tearing, oversensitivity to the light and spasm of the eyelids may also be present. Ocular ball grows as a result of the elevation of ocular pressure. The disease is recognized earlier, if it is single sided. However, it is much more difficult to recognize the disease, if it is double sided and also during its initial stages. Early diagnosis is highly important. The treatment of the disease is surgical. Long period of follow up is also necessary.
Regardless of its type, Glaucoma has the potential to destroy the vision permanently and irreversibly. Treatment should never be ignored. Treatment can be achieved sometimes by medication, sometimes by a direct surgery, and sometimes by YAG laser.