subject: Glaucoma Can Bring Permanent Damage to Eye Sight and Cause Blindness [print this page] Glaucoma Can Bring Permanent Damage to Eye Sight and Cause Blindness
Glaucoma Can Bring Permanent Damage to Eye Sight and Cause Blindness
Glaucoma is a condition in which blockage of channels through which aqueous humor or the clear fluid present in the eye is discharged. This can cause excess intraocular pressure in the eye. Buildup of such pressure can cause damages to the main optic nerve of the eye which carries the signals to and fro from the brain. This is the second most common cause of blindness in people around the world while some ethnic populations such as African Americans and South Asians are at high risk of developing this disorder. There are many forms of Glaucoma and a proper awareness of this health condition can help remedy the situation and avoid permanent damage to the eyes.
Sub Type of Glaucoma
The main type of Glaucoma present is the open angle glaucoma and the angle-closure glaucoma. In addition to this, congenital and secondary glaucoma can also be present in persons. The natural process of aqueous humor is that it travels through the meshwork of nerves and circulates the eye and leaves the eye with the use of the anterior chamber angle.
In the case of open-angle glaucoma which develops over time as a chronic illness, the draining of the aqueous humor is slowed down or blocked over time. This increase the pressure on the optic nerve and the retina but the damage occurs depending on the level of pressure resistance of the individual. This disorder is generally hereditarily inherited and hence people with family histories of this eye condition must pay extra attention to avoid the so called silent thief of site, referring to open angled glaucoma.
When considering angle-closure glaucoma, the pressure arises from the iris being opposed to the lens. The aqueous fluid is thereby unable to flow out to the anterior chamber and exit through the trebecular network. This is an acute situation where the blockage occurs suddenly and painfully with the need for emergency medical treatment. T
In addition to above two types of glaucoma, there is also the congenital glaucoma. This is passed on from generation to generation in a blood line but some members may not be affected. This condition of glaucoma is present at birth. Secondary glaucoma is the other type which may develop as a result of corticosteroid drug intake or certain eye diseases.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
While some forms of glaucoma may not have any specific symptoms until the condition is aggravated to the level of loosing vision, other types as angle-closure and congenital glaucoma will have severe symptoms which can be easily detected. For example, those suffering from Angle-Closure Glaucoma will have sever sudden pain in the eye, and reduced vision, cloudy vision, red and swollen eyes as well as seeing a halo around lights in rainbow colors. Congenital glaucoma will also result in cloudiness in the eye, red eye, sensitivity to light and tearing from eyes etc.
Surgical and Medical Treatment of Glaucoma
To treat glaucoma, the pressure build up on the eye needs to be relieved, either with surgery or with medications. Eye drops and pills are the most common treatment methods in treating open-angle glaucoma. These may be used in combination or separately to protect the optic nerve from being damaged from excessive pressure. In cases of angle-closure glaucoma, the treatments include medications as well as emergency operations with laser treatment called iridotomy which opens a new channel for fluid discharge and relieving of the pressure buildup. Congenital glaucoma is treated often with common surgery to establish a new opening for the aqueous humor to be discharged.
Glaucoma Medications
Alpha adrenergic agonists reduce the production of aqueous humor while facilitating better flow. Examples of medications includeapraclonidine, brimonidine, epinephrine and dipivefrin.
Beta blockerswhich lower the intraocular pressure by reducing the rate of fluid flow to the eye. Examples of medications include, timolol, levobunolol, carteolol, metipranolol and betatoxol.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors - reduce the level of aqueous humor production in the eye. Examples of eye drops and pills include, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, acetazolamide and methazolamide.
Prostaglandin analogs increases the outward flow of the aqueous humor from the eye. Examples of medications includes, latanoprost, bimatoprost and travoprost.
Treating glaucoma at its early stages is critical, whether it is open angle, angle closure, secondary or congenital types. Since untreated conditions can deteriorate at a rapid or progressive phase, the final outcome of untreated glaucoma can be blindness. Therefore, taking medical treatment is important for suspected cases of glaucoma so that remedial actions can correct this disorder.
