Glaucoma: what you need to know about this damaging eye condition -

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages your eye's optic nerve. Sometimes resulting in permanent vision loss, it's one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over the age of 40. With glaucoma, either too much fluid is produced or it doesn't drain efficiently. The fluid builds up and causes pressure to rise inside the eye, which leads to optic nerve damage. However, lowering eye pressure can help you keep your eyesight.

To find out more about glaucoma and prevention methods, check out the following gallery. Simply click on.

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Causes -

The fluid inside your eye, called aqueous humor, usually flows out of your eye through a mesh-like channel. But if it gets blocked, then the liquid builds up, which causes glaucoma.

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Less common causes -

Other causes include a blunt or chemical injury to your eye, severe eye infection, blocked blood vessels inside the eye, and inflammatory conditions.

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Glaucoma risk factors -

It mostly affects adults over 40, but young adults, children, and even infants can have it. Increased eye pressure, diabetes, severe nearsightedness, and high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease are also risk factors.

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Types of glaucoma -

Glaucoma comes in five forms. Open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma are the most common ones.

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Open-angle glaucoma -

This is the most common form of the disease. The fluid in the drain structure, called the trabecular meshwork, doesn't flow out like it should. This causes eye pressure to increase slowly over time.

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Angle-closure glaucoma -

With angle-closure glaucoma, the trabecular meshwork is suddenly narrowed or blocked, resulting in a quick rise in eye pressure. This is more common in Asia, and is linked to farsightedness and cataract.

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Secondary glaucoma -

This is when another condition, like cataracts or diabetes, causes added pressure in your eye.

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Normal-tension glaucoma -

This is when blind spots develop or the optic nerve is damaged, even if the pressure is within the average range.

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Pigmentary glaucoma -

With this type of glaucoma, tiny bits of pigment from the iris, the colored part of the eye, get into the fluid inside your eye and clog the drainage canals.

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Glaucoma symptoms -

Most people with open-angle glaucoma don't have symptoms. If so, then they develop late in the disease. Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma usually come on faster and are more obvious. They include seeing halos around lights, vision loss, eye pain, and redness.

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Glaucoma diagnosis -

Glaucoma tests are painless and quick. Your eye doctor will test your vision. They'll also use drops to widen your pupils and examine your eyes. If glaucoma is suspected, then they may order special imaging tests of your optic nerve.

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Glaucoma treatment -

It's important to get treated early, because eye damage from glaucoma is irreversible. The choice of treatment is based on the type of glaucoma.

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Eye drops -

Eye drops work in one of two ways to lower eye pressure. Some drops help fluid drain more easily from the eye, and others work by reducing the amount of fluid produced.

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Oral medication -

Oral medication, such as beta-blockers or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, might be prescribed. They can improve drainage or slow the creation of fluid in your eye.

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Laser surgery -

Laser surgery can slightly raise the flow of fluid from your eye if you have open-angle glaucoma. If you have angle-closure glaucoma, then it can stop fluid blockage.

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Microsurgery -

In this procedure, a new channel is created to drain the fluid and ease eye pressure. This form of surgery may need to be done more than once.

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Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) -

MIGS is a newer, less invasive form of surgery that usually requires tiny openings. It's generally faster and safer, but won't lower pressure as much.

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Tips for living with glaucoma -

Glaucoma is a lifelong condition and needs continuous following up with your eye doctor. However, there are other things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy.

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Move your body -

Regular exercise may help lower eye pressure. It may also keep blood flowing to the nerves in your eye.

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Healthy diet -

While a healthy diet won't keep your glaucoma from getting worse, it will keep your body and eyes healthy.

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Careful with contacts -

If you use medicated eye drops, then you should be able to continue wearing contact lenses. However, if you need surgery, then it may affect your ability to wear contacts.

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Don't smoke -

Smoking raises blood pressure and eye inflammation, which can increase your risk for diabetes and cataracts. And both are risk factors for glaucoma.

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Elevate your head -

Use a wedge pillow when you sleep. It'll keep your head raised just a little, and help lower your eye pressure.

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Protect your eyes -

When choosing makeup, use non-allergenic brands, and replace items often. Use protective eyewear when playing sports or working on home improvement projects. Also, be sure to wear sunglasses outside. When you have glaucoma, your eyes can be very sensitive to glare.

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Don't rub -

Glaucoma and its associated medications can make your eyes feel itchy. But rubbing your eyes can make things worse. Ask your doctor if you can use drops to treat dryness.

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Glaucoma prevention -

There is no foolproof way to prevent glaucoma. But if you find it early, you can lower your risk of eye damage.

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Have regular eye exams -

The sooner your doctor spots the signs of glaucoma, the sooner treatment starts. All adults need to be checked for glaucoma every three-to-five years. And if you have a family history of the disease, check every one-to-two years.

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Learn your family history -

Ask your relatives whether any of them have been diagnosed with glaucoma.

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Follow doctors' instructions -

If they find that you have high eye pressure, they might give you drops to prevent glaucoma. Be sure to use them.

See also: Tips for eye health and maintaining good eyesight

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