Glaucoma does not imply any one eye disease, it is a term for several diseases that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a process that supplies visual information to the brain. Usually (but not always) glaucoma is the result of abnormally high pressure inside the eye. If glaucoma is detected on time, there is every chance of preventing vision loss. Over time, increased pressure can affect the optic nerve, which leads to partial loss of vision or even blindness.
Glaucoma. What is it?
In most cases, glaucoma is associated with higher than usual pressure inside the eye. This condition is called ocular hypertension. But this can happen even when intraocular pressure is in a normal condition. In the absence of controlled treatment, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss, and then leads to irreversible consequences.
Causes of occurrence
The disease contributes to the continuous accumulation of clear eye fluid. It fills the front of the eye, then passes through the canal to the cornea and iris. If these channels are blocked or the duct is partially obstructed, natural pressure may increase. Glaucoma occurs due to increased intraocular pressure. After this, the optic nerve is damaged, and if the disease enters a progressive stage, then vision can begin to deteriorate.
What factors affect the onset of the disease?
What exactly prevents the passage of fluid and causes pressure is not exactly known, but doctors believe that one or more of the following factors may play a role:
- eye drops, dilating the pupils when instilled;
- eye blockage by drainage;
- some drugs, such as corticosteroids;
- decrease in blood flow to the optic nerve;
- high blood pressure.
Types of glaucoma according to the principle of occurrence
Primary glaucoma is characterized by pathogenic processes that occur in the CPC, the drainage system of the eye or in the optic nerve and prior to the onset of the disease, which do not have an independent definition. They represent the initial stages of the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
Glaucoma may result from a precursor disease. What does it mean? That the occurrence of the disease is possible after an eye injury, a tumor or long-term therapy with certain drugs. This type of disease is called secondary glaucoma.
The main types of glaucoma
1. Open angle (chronic).
This type of disease has no signs or symptoms, with the exception of gradual loss of vision. Moreover, it can be so slow that irreparable damage will be caused to vision before any other signs become apparent. This is one of the most common types of glaucoma. If intraocular pressure remains stably high, then tunnel vision occurs , in which you can see only those objects that are directly in the field in front of the eye. In the absence of quality treatment, vision may be lost.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma.
If the moisture flow is suddenly blocked, then the rapid accumulation of fluid can lead to a severe, rapid and painful increase in pressure. The onset of symptoms of this type is an emergency; In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. Symptoms include: severe pain, nausea, blurred vision.
Angle-closure glaucoma is characterized by sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headache, halo around light sources, dilated pupils, loss of vision, redness of the eyes. Emergency medical care is necessary because the attack of the disease may be accompanied by several jerks, for example, the first may last several hours, and then return again for the next "round". It can last and continuously. If you do not try to defeat the disease, then each attack can cause an ever greater loss of vision.
3. Congenital glaucoma.
A congenital malady is characterized by a defect in the corner of the eye that slows down or stops the normal drainage of moisture. This type of disease is most often inherited. Symptoms include: cloudy pupils, tearing, sensitivity to light.
4. Secondary glaucoma.
This type can occur as a side effect of trauma or diseases such as cataracts, eye swelling. Less commonly, secondary glaucoma occurs after taking corticosteroid drugs and operations.
5. Pigmentary glaucoma.
This is a very rare form that can be caused by clogging of the drainage system of the eye. It is characterized by leaching of the pigment from the iris and its redistribution into the front wall of the eye.
Glaucoma Diagnosis
An eye ailment is determined using a general eye test, which includes the following:
1. Visual test of visual acuity. The chart measures how well you see at various distances.
2. Measurement of peripheral (lateral) vision. Loss of peripheral vision is determined by an ophthalmologist as eye glaucoma, its symptoms.
3. Dilatation procedure. Special drops are instilled into the eyes to dilate the pupils. After that, the ophthalmologist examines the retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After this test, vision may remain blurred for several hours (when you try to examine the subject in close-up).
4. Measurement of intraocular pressure to detect abnormalities. Sometimes eye drops may be used with this procedure.
5. Measurement of the thickness of the cornea. This procedure is called pachymetry. The ophthalmologist uses special drops to numb the eyes, after which he uses an ultrasound wave to obtain the necessary parameters of the cornea.
Glaucoma Treatment
Unfortunately, vision lost due to illness cannot be restored to 100%. It is for this reason that early diagnosis and prevention are so important. Methods of treatment: drug, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery or a combination of the above methods. These procedures are not a panacea for the full restoration of vision, but are able to maintain the level that existed at the time of treatment.
Treatment methods
Medication. Drugs in the form of eye drops or tablets are the most common methods at the beginning of the treatment period. Taking regular medications prescribed by your doctor, eye drops for glaucoma, you can significantly reduce eye pressure. The effect of this treatment method is to reduce the release of moisture and help the outflow of eye fluid.
Before starting treatment, you must tell your doctor about taking other medicines or supplements if you are taking them, as some combinations of different drugs are not allowed.
The prescribed drops for glaucoma or tablets should be taken regularly, only in this case you can get a positive effect, despite the fact that side effects may occur. For example, drops can cause burning and redness of the eyes, even if this has not happened to you before. However, it is necessary to inform the ophthalmologist about the occurrence of side effects, since a sharp transition from one medicine to another drug is sometimes impossible. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the doctor may change the dose or type of treatment.
As mentioned above, often glaucoma is asymptomatic, and some people may be tempted to stop taking it or forget to take the medicine on time. Regularity is very important, treatment should be carried out until the eye pressure returns to normal.
Laser trabeculoplasty. This method of treatment is prescribed to improve the outflow of ocular fluid. The doctor may suggest that you take this step at any time in combination with taking medications.
Laser trabeculoplasty is carried out in the office of an ophthalmological clinic, before the operation, drops are used to numb the eyes. Using a special lens, the doctor passes an intense ray of light through the lens. While a beam of light is reflected on the retina inside the eye, you can see flashes of green or red light. The laser procedure performs several evenly spaced burns that help the outflow of fluid.
Like any surgery, laser surgery can cause side effects, such as inflammation, so your doctor will probably give you eye drops for glaucoma to relieve pain or intraocular inflammation. In the next few visits, the ophthalmologist will conduct an examination to monitor eye pressure and the general condition of the eye.
Each eye is treated in turn in cases where glaucoma has spread to both eyes. What does this give to the patient? Laser procedures for each eye are carried out on different days, with a period of several days to several weeks, thus, the effectiveness of treatment increases.
Research suggests that laser surgery is a good treatment, but even after surgery, some patients may have poor eyesight. In this case, the doctor will prescribe another treatment.
Surgery. This method helps to make additional holes for the outflow of moisture. Usually, such operations are resorted to after drug treatment and treatment by laser surgery, if glaucoma has not been eliminated. Reviews about this method of treatment are diverse, but the operation helps to achieve the desired effect for most patients.
Surgery is called trabeculectomy and is performed on an outpatient basis. After the administration of the sedative, the doctor performs small injections around the eye for numbness. After this, a small flap of skin is removed and a new channel is created for the flow of fluid from the front of the eye into the subconjunctival space.
Within a few weeks after surgery, eye drops for glaucoma are used to fight infection and inflammation.
A successful outcome of the operation and a decrease in intraocular pressure are observed in 60-80% of patients. If the drainage of the eye narrows over time, then a second operation may be required. Surgical intervention gives a greater effect if primary glaucoma occurs and before that no eye surgery was performed , for example, to remove cataracts.
Sometimes after a surgery, vision may be worse compared to what it was before surgery. Side effects include cataracts, corneal problems, inflammation, intraocular infections, or too low blood pressure. This information must be reported to the doctor so that he can develop a treatment plan.
Glaucoma Prevention
The best way to prevent glaucoma is an annual examination by an ophthalmologist. Simple tests performed during procedures can detect incipient eye defects.
Is it possible to reduce the risk of a disease? Researchers in the UK have found that intense physical training provides a long-term reduction in perfusion eye pressure (ORP), which is one of the risk factors that precede the onset of glaucoma. ORP is a mathematical value that is calculated by measuring intraocular and blood pressure.
Simple tests performed during the procedures are able to detect eye defects before glaucoma occurs. What does this mean for health? The best way to prevent glaucoma is an annual examination by an ophthalmologist.
Is there a connection between physical activity and the onset of the disease?
The results showed that study participants who did moderate physical activity over an extended period were 25% less likely to have low ORP.
"It seems that OPP is largely characterized by the state of the cardiovascular system," said study author Paul J. Foster, a fellow at University College London Institute of Ophthalmology. “We cannot comment on the reasons, but, of course, there is a connection between a sedentary lifestyle and factors that increase the risk of glaucoma.”
Dr. Foster concluded that maintaining an active lifestyle is an effective way for people who want to reduce the risk of not only glaucoma, but also many other health problems. These procedures are useful even if a person has congenital glaucoma.
In addition to regular exercise and an active lifestyle, you can also reduce the risk of an ailment if you follow simple recommendations: do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, absorb only a varied and healthy diet.