Glaucoma Symptoms
Glaucoma Treatment
The Eye Disease that may lead to Blindness.

Like macular degeneration, glaucoma is also usually age related.

Makes you think twice about wanting to grow old, doesn't it? ;)

Nicknamed "Sneak Thief of Sight", this eye disease is a result of excessive pressure build-up in the eye that slowly destroys the retina cells and optic nerve fibers. If it's not treated, sad to say, it can lead to complete and non-reversible blindness.

No, I don't like the sound of that either! Still, it's good to be knowledgeable about the main types...they are:

1. Chronic (primary open-angle): Being the most common, this form gradually destroys vision without any signs or symptoms. There's also low tension, normal tension and pigmentary forms in this category.

2. Acute (angle-closure): This happens when there is a sharp rise in intraocular pressure, and can cause pain and blurred vision. In a short time, it can lead to blindness that cannot be reversed.

3. Primary congenital (buphthalmos): This one affects infants, but is rare and genetic. Their eyes tend to be enlarged and also seem clouded, and tend to water excessively.

4. Secondary: This may happen due to other eye disease, eye surgery or injury that lead to complications.

Pictures courtesy of NEI at National Institute of Health

Normal vision

Same scene as viewed by a person with Glaucoma

Glaucoma Symptoms
This eye disease does not have any distinct symptoms, except for the visual loss of vision, which starts out at the side, or affects the peripheral vision first. The affected person usually does not notice because the loss of vision is subtle.

While blindness due to this cannot be reversed, it can still be prevented if treated early.

Risk Factors
Anybody can be at risk, although certain factors may increase the chances of contracting this eye problem. A family history of this disease, diabetic people, those with migraine, myopia, eye injuries, hypertension, as well as those who used to or still consume steroids all lead to higher susceptibility.

Glaucoma Treatment

Although a cure for this is not available, it still can be contained with early detection and treatment. These include:

• Usage of Eye Drops - This form of treatment is the most frequently prescribed, and the patient must do this diligently. In some cases, the eye doctor may also prescribe certain pills. All this is dependent on each patients situation.
  
• Laser trabeculoplasty - This laser eye surgery is performed when vision loss continues despite the use of eye drops. This can be considered outpatient treatment, and the continued use of eye drops after surgery is recommended.
  
• Trabeculectomy - When the above remedies prove futile, then this conventional eye surgery is performed to control pressure in the eye and create a new path for excessive fluid in the eyes to exit.

My best advice would be to see your ophthamologist or eye doctor regularly for checkups, especially when you're above the age of 35.

He/she can help you detect any eye problems early, and help treat it. As they say, prevention is definitely better than cure! ;)

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