Glaucoma does not mean any one eye disease, it is a term for several diseases that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a process that supplies visual information to the brain. Usually (but not always) glaucoma is the result of abnormally high pressure inside the eye. If glaucoma disease is detected in time, there is every chance to prevent vision loss. Over time, increased pressure can affect the optic nerve, leading to partial vision loss or even blindness.
Glaucoma. What is this?
In most cases, glaucoma is associated with higher than usual pressure inside the eye. This condition is called ocular hypertension. But this can happen even when intraocular pressure is normal. If left untreated, glaucoma first causes loss of peripheral vision, and then leads to irreversible consequences.
Causes of occurrence
The disease contributes to the constant accumulation of clear eye fluid. It fills the front of the eye, then passes through the canal to the cornea and iris. If these channels are blocked or the duct is partially obstructed, it may increasenatural pressure. Glaucoma occurs due to increased intraocular pressure. After that, the optic nerve is damaged, and if the disease enters a progressive stage, then vision may begin to deteriorate.
What factors influence the onset of the disease?
It is not known exactly what is blocking the passage of fluid and causing pressure, but doctors believe that one or more of the following factors may play a role:
- eye drops that dilate pupils when instilled;
- blocking the eye with drainage;
- some drugs such as corticosteroids;
- decrease in blood flow to the optic nerve;
- high blood pressure.
Types of glaucoma according to the principle of occurrence
Primary glaucoma is characterized by pathogenic processes that occur in the APC, the drainage system of the eye or in the optic nerve and precede the onset of the disease, which do not have an independent definition. They represent the initial stages of the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
Glaucoma can be the result of some precursor disease. What does it mean? The fact that the onset of the disease is possible after an eye injury, tumor, or long-term therapy with certain drugs. This type of disease is called secondary glaucoma.
Main types of glaucoma
1. Open-angle (chronic).
This type of disease has no signs or symptoms other than a gradual loss of vision. And she can be soslow that irreparable damage will be done to vision before any other signs become apparent. This is one of the most common types of glaucoma. If the intraocular pressure remains consistently high, then tunnel vision occurs, in which you can see only those objects that are directly in the field in front of your eyes. Without quality treatment, vision can be lost.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma.
If the flow of moisture is suddenly blocked, then the rapid accumulation of fluid can lead to a severe, rapid and painful increase in pressure. The occurrence of this type of symptom is an emergency; in this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. Symptoms include severe pain, nausea, blurred vision.
Angle-closure glaucoma is characterized by sudden signs such as eye pain, headache, halo around light sources, dilated pupils, loss of vision, redness of the eyes. Emergency medical attention is necessary because the attack of the disease may be accompanied by several jerks, for example, the first may last several hours, and then return again for the next "round". It can also go on and on. If you do not try to defeat the disease, then each attack can cause more and more loss of vision.
3. Congenital glaucoma.
A congenital ailment is characterized by a defect in the corner of the eye that slows or stops the normal drainage of moisture. This type of disease is most often inherited. Symptoms include: cloudy pupils,tearing, sensitivity to light.
4. Secondary glaucoma.
This type can occur as a side effect of injury or diseases such as cataracts, eye swelling. Less commonly, secondary glaucoma occurs after taking corticosteroid drugs and surgery.
5. Pigmentary glaucoma.
This is a very rare form that can be caused by a blockage in the drainage system of the eye. It is characterized by washing out of the pigment from the iris and redistributing it to the anterior wall of the eye.
Diagnosis of glaucoma
An eye ailment is determined using a general eye test that includes the following:
1. Visual acuity test. The chart measures how well you see at different distances.
2. Measurement of peripheral (lateral) vision. Loss of peripheral vision is defined by an ophthalmologist as ocular glaucoma, its symptoms.
3. dilatation procedure. Special drops are instilled into the eyes to dilate the pupils. The ophthalmologist then examines the retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After this test, vision may remain blurred for several hours (when trying to see the object close-up).
4. Measurement of intraocular pressure to detect abnormalities. Sometimes eye drops may be used during this procedure.
5. Measurement of corneal thickness. This procedure is called pachymetry. The ophthalmologist uses special drops to numb the eye, after whichapplies an ultrasonic wave to obtain the desired parameters of the cornea.
Glaucoma treatment
Unfortunately, vision lost due to illness cannot be restored to 100%. This is why early diagnosis and prevention is so important. Treatment methods: drug, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of the above methods. These procedures are not a panacea for the complete restoration of vision, but they are able to maintain the level that exists at the time of treatment.
Treatment methods
Drugs. Preparations in the form of eye drops or tablets are the most common methods at the beginning of the treatment period. Taking regularly prescribed drugs, eye drops for glaucoma, you can significantly reduce eye pressure. The effect of this treatment method is to reduce the release of moisture and help the outflow of eye fluid.
Please tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines or supplements, if you are taking any, before starting treatment, as some combinations of different medicines are not allowed.
Prescribed glaucoma drops or tablets should be taken regularly to get the benefit, although there may be side effects. For example, drops can cause burning and redness of the eyes, even if this has not happened to you before. However, the occurrence of side effects must be reported to the ophthalmologist, since an abrupt switch from one drug to another drug is sometimes not possible. For eliminationsymptoms, the doctor may change the dose or type of treatment.
As mentioned above, glaucoma is often asymptomatic and some people may be tempted to stop taking or forget to take their medication at the scheduled time. Regularity is very important, treatment should be carried out until eye pressure returns to normal.
Laser trabeculoplasty. This method of treatment is prescribed to improve the outflow of eye fluid. Your doctor may suggest doing this step at any time in combination with medication.
Laser trabeculoplasty is performed in the office of an ophthalmology clinic, before the operation, drops are applied to numb the eye. With the help of a special lens, the doctor passes an intense beam of light through the lens. When the beam of light is reflected on the retina inside the eye, you may see flashes of green or red light. The laser procedure performs several evenly spaced burns that help drain the fluid.
Like any surgery, laser surgery can cause side effects such as inflammation, so your doctor will likely give you glaucoma eye drops to relieve pain or inflammation in the eye. In the next few visits, the ophthalmologist will conduct an examination to monitor eye pressure and the general condition of the eye.
Treatment of each eye is carried out in turn in cases where glaucoma has spread to both eyes. What does it provide for the patient? Laser procedures foreach eye is carried out on different days, with a period of several days to several weeks, thus, the effectiveness of the treatment increases.
Research suggests that laser surgery is a good treatment option, however, even after surgery, vision may deteriorate in some patients. In this case, the doctor will prescribe another treatment.
Surgical operation. This method helps to make additional holes for the outflow of moisture. Typically, such operations are resorted to after drug treatment and treatment with laser surgery, if glaucoma has not been eliminated. Reviews about this method of treatment are varied, but the operation helps to achieve the desired effect for most patients.
The surgery is called a trabeculectomy and is performed on an outpatient basis. After a sedative is administered, the doctor will give small injections around the eye to numb the eye. After that, a small flap of skin is removed and a new channel is created for the fluid flow from the front of the eye to the subconjunctival space.
Glaucoma eye drops are used for several weeks after surgery to fight infection and inflammation.
Successful outcome of the operation and a decrease in intraocular pressure are observed in 60-80% of patients. If the drainage of the eye narrows over time, then a second operation may be required. Surgical intervention is more effective if primary glaucoma has occurred and no previous eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, has been performed.
Sometimes afterYour vision may be worse after surgery than it was before surgery. Among the side effects observed: the occurrence of cataracts, problems with the cornea, inflammation, intraocular infections or too low pressure. This information must be given to the doctor so that he can develop a treatment plan.
Glaucoma prevention
The best way to prevent glaucoma is to have an annual check-up with an ophthalmologist. Simple tests carried out during procedures are able to detect incipient eye defects.
Is it possible to reduce the risk of disease? Researchers in the UK have found that intense physical exercise provides a long-term reduction in eye perfusion pressure (ORP), which is one of the risk factors that precede the onset of glaucoma. ORR is a mathematical value that is calculated when measuring intraocular pressure and blood pressure.
Simple tests done during procedures are able to detect eye defects before glaucoma occurs. What does this mean for he alth? The best way to prevent glaucoma is to have an annual check-up with an ophthalmologist.
Is there a link between exercise and illness?
The results showed that study participants who engaged in moderate exercise over a long period were 25% less likely to have low RRR.
"It seems that OPP is largelycharacterized by cardiovascular he alth,” says study author Paul J. Foster, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology. “We can’t comment on the reasons, but of course there is a link between a sedentary lifestyle and factors that increase the risk of glaucoma."
Dr. Foster concluded that maintaining an active lifestyle is an effective way for people who want to reduce the risk of not only glaucoma, but also a variety of other he alth problems. These procedures are useful even if a person has congenital glaucoma.
In addition to regular exercise and an active lifestyle, you can also reduce your risk of getting sick by following simple guidelines: don't smoke, maintain a he althy weight, and eat a varied and he althy diet.
