Glaucoma - damage to the optic nerve
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause irreversible vision loss if left untreated. Glaucoma often develops gradually and without symptoms, making regular eye examinations crucial for early detection and management.
Learn more about Glaucoma
In its early stages, Glaucoma often presents no symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are essential for early detection. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience peripheral vision loss, tunnel vision, eye pain, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
While Glaucoma can affect anyone, certain factors may increase your risk, including age (those over 60 are at higher risk), family history of Glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, certain medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and long-term use of corticosteroids.
While there is no cure for Glaucoma, early detection and treatment can help slow down or prevent further vision loss. Treatment options may include prescription eye drops to lower intraocular pressure, oral medications, laser therapy, or surgery, depending on the severity and type of Glaucoma.
It is recommended to have comprehensive eye examinations every 1-2 years, especially if you are over 40 or have risk factors for Glaucoma. Your optometrist can perform tests to measure intraocular pressure, assess the health of your optic nerve, and detect any signs of Glaucoma.
Types of Glaucoma
Glaucoma can either develop slowly (chronic) or abruptly (acute):
- Chronic Glaucoma is the blockage of the eye’s drainage channels, which occurs gradually. This is the most common form of Glaucoma and is completely painless.
- Acute Glaucoma is when the blockage in the drainage channels of the eye happens suddenly. It is painful and can end up causing permanent vision loss, if not treated immediately.
There are many different types of Glaucoma, with a range of characteristics and causes. If you’ve been diagnosed with Glaucoma, your Optometrist will advise which type you have.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: the most common type of Glaucoma. Caused by a partial blockage in the eye’s drainage system, which means fluid drains out of the eye too slowly, resulting in a gradual increase in pressure within the eye.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: caused by a bulging iris that blocks the drainage system, resulting in not enough fluid drainage, which builds up pressure behind the eye.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma: when the optic nerve becomes damaged, even though the pressure within the eye is considered normal. The reason is debatable, but thought to be due poor blood flow to the optic nerve.
Developmental Glaucoma: occurs in children and infants, usually within any symptoms.
Pigmentary Glaucoma: where the drainage channels are blocked by a build up of pigment granules.
Prevention is the first line of defence
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, have a family history of Glaucoma, or perhaps it’s been a while between eye examinations; our Optometrists would love to see you.