Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions where the optic nerve is deteriorated and damaged which may result in loss of vision. This damage often relates to the high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is also one of the leading causes of blindness around the world. Glaucoma has many subtypes therefore it is important to see your Ophthalmologist to receive proper diagnosis.

Risk factors

• Race: African-American had higher risk than Caucasian by 6-8 times. Asian is prone to have open-angle glaucoma

• Age more than 40

• Family history

• High pressure in eye

• History of eye trauma and accident

• Steroid medication usage

• Other risk factors such as farsightedness and nearsightedness, thin cornea, diabetes, migraine

Symptoms

In general, glaucoma does not exhibit symptoms or warning signs in early stages. Glaucoma can be separated into two groups: Open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

1.Open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent type of glaucoma. Most will not exhibit symptoms in early stage. The optic nerve gradually deteriorates, and the patient will gradually lose their sight slowly with fog-like blindness at the side for many years until they are completely blinded.

2.Angle-closure glaucoma can be found lesser than open-angle glaucoma. Typical symptoms are acute pain, red eyes, seeing halos around the light, and experience nausea and vomiting. This type of glaucoma can be cured by receiving early treatment with an Ophthalmologist.

3.Other types of glaucoma include Primary congenital glaucoma in newborn or children and glaucoma secondary to other eye diseases and complications.                 

Treatment

Glaucoma can only be treated by means of reducing eye pressure to allow drainage of fluid in the eye. The damaged optic nerve is irreversible and cannot be cured. There are 3 ways to treat glaucoma:

1. Topical Medication to reduce production of fluid in the eye or increase drainage of the fluid to reduce eye pressure

2. Laser treatment to control eye pressure and increase fluid drainage.  An ophthalmologist treats with laser when the topical medication does not work.

3. Surgery is the last resort if laser treatment does not work. Two approaches can be done, to increase fluid drainage with various surgical technique or use drainage tube to help.

When to see a doctor?

If you experienced blurred vision, halos, light sensitivities, vision loss, you should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. If symptoms came suddenly with severe headache and eye pain, this may suggest acute angle-glaucoma and treatment is immediately needed. Contact emergency room or ophthalmologist immediately.