Glaucoma Eye

Glaucoma eye

        Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects more than one million people all over the world and is responsible for 15% of blindness in developed countries. When pain and loss occur, it is often too late and glaucoma is already at an advanced stage.

Glaucoma eye explanation

        The cornea, the colored part of the eye is a transparent membrane that covers the outside of the body and the iris. Between the two, is a liquid that provides oxygen and nourishes the cornea. It is produced by a gland behind the iris and through the retina - the black dot in the center of the eye - and circulates in the space between the cornea and iris. The angle at the junction between the iris and cornea, from which the liquid flows is a key place in the formation of glaucoma. Indeed, when this flow is disrupted, the fluid accumulates and the pressure inside the eye increases. This is the beginning of the disease. If the pressure continues to mount, it might damage the optic nerve, which starts from the back of the eye and carries images to the brain. The vision is so impaired, including vision "for later"- we see things well located in front of us but much less.

        Eventually, untreated, glaucoma leads to total destruction of the optic nerve and then blindness. There are two types of glaucoma: the first, called open-angle glaucoma is the most common: it accounts for 90% of cases. There is often no pain or signs of the problem and it develops insidiously, without being noticed. The pain sometimes appears when the view has been significantly reduced. The second type of glaucoma, angle closure, is much rarer. Persistent pain appears suddenly, accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances. It is a medical emergency that must be addressed as soon as possible.

Glaucoma eye pictures

Angle closure glaucoma

        The diagnosis is often a severe orbital pain or red eye. Mydriasis (or dilation of the pupil) is often present. The narrow-angle glaucoma is linked to an anatomical abnormality, so often both eyes are affected or eventually be achieved. In these patients, the iridocorneal angle is too small. The intra-ocular secretions normally are evacuated by this angle. The dilation of the pupil contraction of the iris closes this angle. The pressure then rises in the eye. The diagnosis is confirmed by the capture of eyestrain that can reach 60 to 80 mmHg during the crisis. The accident may be helped by taking medication at risk. The main risk is the atrophy of the optic nerve and vision loss.

        The treatment is to lower the intraocular pressure in dehydrating the eye and obtaining miosis. Miosis must be obtained in time,and failing requires hospitalization. There are medical treatments to normalize the intraocular pressure. The surgical treatment is the definitive peripheral iridectomy . This treatment applies when the voltage measured on the cornea is normal.