Basic background and information on the symptoms and treatment of glaucoma

Glaucoma


Glaucoma is a common condition that can cause blindness if not detected early enough. It is caused by an increase in pressure within the fluid of the eyeball, resulting in a compression of the blood vessels and optic nerve, producing a gradual loss of vision.

Glaucoma is a disease of the elderly. The commonest type is called `chronic open angle glaucoma', which progresses so slowly, it goes unnoticed by the patient until blindness is quite advanced. This type tends to run in families. Almost 2% of 40 yr olds and 10% of 70 yr olds have this type of glaucoma, with men and women being equally affected. Vision is lost from the edges of the visual field, and is rarley noticed by the sufferer until irreversible damage has occurred.

Usually, the patient is unable to read small print and may complain of a shadow in the eye, with one eye being more affected than the other. Anyone over the age of 40 yrs, with a history of glaucoma in the family, should have their eye pressures checked by their optician. Eye checks are free to these patients.
A rarer type is called acute closed angle glaucoma, which causes an episode of severe, aching pain in and around the eye. Vision becomes fogged, and rainbow coloured haloes around lights may be seen. The eyeball is reddened, and even nausea and vomiting can occur.

Glaucoma may be precipitated by medications such as anti-depressants, eye preparations containing steroids and levadopa used in the treatment of Parkinsons disease.

Patients will be seen by an eye specialist. The commonest form, chronic glaucoma, is treated with eye drops containing the drug, timolol which reduces the production of fluid inside the eye. However, it should not be used by asthmatics or chronic bronchitics as it can cause a narrowing of the airways. Other drops containing the substance pilocarpine can also help reduce the pressure within the eyeball.

Sometimes surgery is necessary, using lasers to remove part of the iris to allow fluid to drain out more freely.

Further information can be found at the web site of the Internationa Glaucoma Association: http://www.glaucoma-association.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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