 What is
glaucoma?
Glaucoma is today's leading cause of blindness
in America. Glaucoma refers to abnormally high
fluid pressure within the eye. Over time, this
pressure can damage the optic nerve and the blood
vessels that nourish the retina. As the optic nerve
fibers are damaged, the quality and amount of information
transmitted to the brain diminishes, causing loss
in vision.
Damage can occur so slowly that the person
is not aware of the vision loss. Vision loss usually
becomes more and more severe until irreversible
blindness occurs.
Who gets glaucoma?
According to the National Society for the
prevention of Blindness, one in 50 Americans
over the age of 35 and three out of every 100
over the age of 65 have glaucoma. There is
a hereditary tendency for the development of
the disease in some families, especially among
African Americans.
People at higher risk include those with diabetes
or those with a family history of glaucoma.
Those at risk should have their eyes checked
regularly by an eye doctor.
 |
 Glaucoma
Causes and Treatments
What causes glaucoma?
No one knows the exact cause of glaucoma. Usually
it occurs when the normal drainage passages that
allow fluid within your eyes to drain become
blocked. This results in fluid pressure build
up in the eye increasing the pressure on the
optic nerve and retina. An infection, injury,
or tumor in or near the eye may also cause the
intraocular pressure to rise.
Can glaucoma be prevented?
The most common type of glaucoma cannot be prevented,
but early detection and treatment can reduce
the chances of damage to the eye and loss of
sight by controlling the intraocular pressure.
Can glaucoma be cured?
There is no known cure for the most common type
of glaucoma. In most cases, it can usually be
controlled with one of four treatments: medications,
conventional surgery, laser surgery, or drainage
implants.
 TREATING
GLAUCOMA:
Medication in the form of eyedrops
or tablets taken in precise amounts,
on a regular schedule, is usually
the first treatment option. Lasers
also have been used to treat glaucoma.
Laser surgery for glaucoma requires
eyedrops for anesthesia and only
takes about 15 minutes. When medications
and lasers fail to control rising
intraocular pressures, surgery using
powerful microscopes and tiny instruments
to open the drainage channels may
be an option. Drainage implants are
another surgical option. These tiny,
pressure sensitive, unidirectional
valves open and close with the changing
intraocular pressure.
Will treatment restore vision?
Unfortunately, when glaucoma causes
vision loss, it is usually permanent
and cannot be restored. This is why
regular preventative eye examinations
by your opthamologist are so important.
Don't let glaucoma sneak up on
you!
Have your intraocular pressure checked
regularly by your eye doctor.
|
|
|
