What Is It?
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It is the condition in which the optic nerve is
damage, causing blind spots to develop. |
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| Causes
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Glaucoma is caused by pressure which is built up with the
aqueous humor is prevented from draining properly. The resulting increase in
pressure can damaged the optic nerve.
However, people with high intraocular pressure do not mean that they will be
getting glaucoma. But due to the conditions, they were considered "glaucoma
suspects". People with normal intraocular pressure might experience vision
loss from glaucoma.
There are other factors, which might affect the optic nerve even when the
intraocular pressure is at the normal range. However, studies had shown that
the higher the intraocular pressure the higher the chances of having the optic
nerves damaged.
- Blurred vision
- Severe eye pain
- Headache
- Haloes (which may appear as rainbows) around lights
- Nausea and vomiting
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| Diagnostics
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People who have glaucoma don't notice any symptoms until they began
to experience vision loss. As the optic nerves are damaged by glaucoma, small blind spots
might develop at the side of the vision. Most people don't notice them until significant
damage has already occurred. If the whole nerve is destroyed, blindness occurred. |
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| Angle-closure Glaucoma
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Angle-closure glaucoma is a rare but serious form of
glaucoma. If you have the following symptoms, call for the ophthalmologist
immediately, however having these symptoms may not mean you have glaucoma: |
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| Treatment
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Glaucoma cannot be treated but can be controlled. Even when
treatment is effective, one has to have the go for eye checkup regularly and need
to continue the treatment for live.
The main focus of the treatment is to lower intraocular pressure until it is
unlikely to cause further nerve damage. This level is sometimes known as the
"target pressure" and it differs from people to people and also might change
during the course of his or her life. |
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