Glaucoma

Glaucoma

        Glaucoma is an eye disease which is caused by the damage of the optic nerve. In this case peripheral vision is affected. If it goes untreated, the sufferer may become blind. Glaucoma is also the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataract.

Glaucoma types and glaucoma treatment

        Most frequently glaucoma is due to a malfunction of the trabecular meshwork and it leads to increased pressure because the liquid can not be disposed of properly. It grows slowly, without giving any warning signs or symptoms, without pain, the patient did not suspect anything until his peripheral vision diminishes and is finally lost. The remaining central vision can still be saved if treatment is effective.

• Glaucoma medication: drops or tablets decreases the production of liquid or increases its drainage speed. There are many glaucoma eye drops and sometimes you have to try several to find one that suits you. Treatment should be continued without interruption, usually it is for life. An eye drop is not necessarily effective for a lifetime, one must sometimes change it.
• Laser treatment of glaucoma: it consists in sending an argon laser on the trabecular meshwork to increase the passage of the liquid (or filtering). Unfortunately, the effects are only temporary.
• Surgical glaucoma treatment: if medication or the laser is not effective or if there are many side effects, surgery is necessary. It is done to facilitate the drainage of intraocular fluid. There are currently several types of transactions that have the same goal. The filtration surgery is an effective way to slow or eliminate the deterioration of the optic nerve. The development of glaucoma may not continue if other factors, particularly circulatory factor is involved.

Glaucoma eye drops

        Each person is special. The treatment is customized. There is no standard treatment for glaucoma. Eyedrops are the most prescribed drugs. They are often effective but local administration of drops should be daily and often for life. If this fails, surgery should be undertaken. Unlike the first, and much more rare, narrow-angle glaucoma will not pass unnoticed. It is manifested by the sudden appearance of a dull, persistent pain associated with nausea and blurred vision. It is a medical emergency which requirs immediate intervention. Glaucoma is not worsen by a specific diet, reading or watching the computer does not aggravate it.

Glaucoma pictures

Glaucoma open angle

        In this case the trabeculoplasty is essentially. Glaucoma open angle treatment is usually simple, quick and painless. It consists in the application of laser impacts in the trabecular meshwork, located in the angle between the iris and cornea. A contact lens adapter allowds to keep an eye open and through which the laser light will pass well to focus each impact. Anti-inflammatory eye drops are often prescribed. The glaucoma filtration surgery has the goal of lowering the pressure within the eye.

• Before surgery, you should consult the anesthesiologist and you should communicate to him the laboratory tests prescribed.
• Hospitalization: in agreement with the anesthesiologist, you can choose between the ambulatory mode or remain in the clinic one or more nights. If you prefer to go out the same day, you must be accompanied by a friend or family and you should not be alone the night following the intervention.
• Anesthesia: the eye may be numbed by instillation of eye drops and / or injections. General anesthesia is also possible.
• The filtering surgery of glaucoma is to achieve a valve with the tissues of the eye to facilitate drainage of aqueous humor of the eye. The operation is performed while the patient is placed on the back. It may be necessary to remove a small fragment of the iris or ablate a portion of the vitreous. The incisions are closed with stitches.

Glaucoma symptoms

        For open-angle glaucoma:

• Asymptomatic for 10 years to 20 years.
• A blurred peripheral vision.
• Sometimes, eye pain, tearing, headache.
• Blindness, at an advanced stage.
• Both eyes are affected, usually.

        For the narrow-angle glaucoma:

• A suddenly blurred vision.
• The vision of colored halos around lights.
• The reddening of the eyes.
• A strong eye pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.