What you need to know about Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. It happens when there is a buildup of fluid inside the eyes resulting in raised eye pressures. However, there is a subtype of glaucoma where the eye pressure remains normal but there is remarkable damage to the optic nerve with subsequent vision loss. With early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. It is the second commonest cause of blindness worldwide after cataract and globally it is predicted that by 2020 80million people will be affected.

Open angle glaucoma is the most common type. It happens gradually, where the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should. As a result, eye pressure builds and starts to damage the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless and causes no vision changes at first.

Also, some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure (Normal tension glaucoma). This means their risk of getting glaucoma is higher than normal. Having Regular eye exams helps to find early signs of damage to their optic nerve.

People with open angle glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma often do not have any symptoms until the later stages when they present with tunnel vision.

Another subset of glaucoma, Angle closure glaucoma is usually accompanied by raised eye pressure. This happens when the drainage angle for the fluid inside the eye gets clogged up just like a clogged sink. When the drainage angle gets completely blocked, the eye pressure rises quickly resulting in an acute angle closure attack. This is an eye emergency and requires emergency medical attention to prevent vision loss. In some persons, the angle closure might develop slowly. This is called chronic angle closure glaucoma. Usually you may not be aware of this until it develops into an attack or the damage gets severe.

Signs of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack

• Sudden blurry vision
• Severe eye pain
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seeing rainbows or halos around lights

Children can also be affected as seen in congenital glaucoma. It is usually diagnosed within the first year of life. Though rare, it may be inherited or caused by incorrect development of the eyes drainage system before birth.

Who is at risk for Glaucoma

Anyone can develop glaucoma. Some people, listed below, are at higher risk than others:

• People over age 60
• Africans and people of Asian descent
• A family history of glaucoma
• People with diabetes and hypertension and heart disease may increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
• Severe trauma, such as being hit in the eye, can result in immediate increased eye pressure.
• Corticosteroid use. Using corticosteroids (including cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone) for prolonged periods of time appears to be a significant risk factor.