Glaucoma | Answering The 5 Most Often Asked Questions
DID YOU KNOW? Glaucoma is considered a leading cause of permanent blindness worldwide. Australians, too, are impacted, with over 300,000 Australians affected by glaucoma.
Despite its prevalence, many people remain unaware that they are glaucoma suspects until they experience significant vision loss. However, there’s good news! Early detection and treatment may slow down this “silent thief of sight.”
For simplicity, we’ve grouped the five most frequently asked questions about glaucoma into two areas. Let’s break it down.
- Understanding Glaucoma and Its Risks
- Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Understanding Glaucoma What is glaucoma, and how does it affect vision?
Glaucoma is the name given to a range of eye diseases that cause deterioration to the optic nerve and its ability to carry visual signals from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma typically occurs when fluid builds up within the eye, increasing intraocular pressure. This pressure can cause the optic nerve to separate from the back of the eyeball—often called a retinal tear or detachment—and may lead to irreversible blindness.
Note: Glaucoma may develop without noticeable symptoms.
The different types of glaucoma—a quick overview:
- Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, develops slowly and with minimal symptoms.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Less common but severe; sudden eye pressure spike—requires urgent care.
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Damage developing within and around the optic nerve despite normal eye pressure.
- Congenital Glaucoma: Found in infants, caused by abnormal eye development.
- Secondary Glaucoma: Results from other eye conditions like injury or cataracts.
Knowing the type is crucial for effective treatment.
Who is at risk of developing glaucoma?
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but certain groups are at higher risk:
- Age: People over 40 are more prone to developing glaucoma, with greater risk increasing significantly after 60.
- Family History: A family history of glaucoma may dramatically increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
- Ethnicity: Various types of glaucoma are more prevalent across different ethnic groups, with studies showing that men and women of African and Asian heritage present a higher risk of developing the condition.
- Pre-existing Health Conditions: Such conditions as diabetes, hypertension, extended use of topical steroidal eyedrops, previous eye trauma, or chronic eye inflammation increase the chances of developing glaucoma.
Understanding these risk factors allows for early detection and better management of glaucoma.
The Diagnosis, Progression and Treatment of Glaucoma
Now, let’s answer three questions related to early identification of glaucoma and understanding diagnostic processes.
Are there any early signs and symptoms of glaucoma? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it typically presents no obvious symptoms in its early stages. Between routine eye test visits and during an eye test, your optometrist may monitor for various signs, such as:
- Gradual loss of vision throughout your visual field (peripheral vision)
- Visual aura (seeing halos around lights)
- Sustained intraocular pressures
- Deterioration of nerve fibers within the eye
- Reduction in eye drainage efficiency
As glaucoma may progress slowly, we encourage you to get regular eye exams. These are crucial for early detection before significant vision loss occurs.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Diagnosing glaucoma involves a comprehensive eye exam, where several tests are performed to review and detect a change in eye pressure readings and the health of the optic nerve.
An optometrist may refer you to a specialist (an ophthalmologist) for a final diagnosis. Key diagnostic methods include:
- Tonometry: Measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eye.
- Pachymetry: Measuring the thickness of the cornea, which can influence IOP.
- Ophthalmoscopy: Examining the optic nerve for signs of damage.
- Perimetry: Mapping your peripheral vision to detect any vision loss.
- Gonioscopy: Inspecting the eye’s drainage angle to classify the glaucoma type.
These tests help optometrists and ophthalmologists detect glaucoma and recommend a tailored treatment plan.
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Can glaucoma be treated or prevented?
While there is no cure for glaucoma, the good news is that with the right treatment options, you can effectively manage cases of glaucoma. Any treatments prescribed are about lowering intraocular pressure to prevent further vision loss.
What are some of these treatment options?
- Medications: Prescription eye drops are often the first line of defense. These drops lower eye pressure by reducing fluid production or by improving drainage.
- Laser Therapy: In some cases, laser procedures can enhance fluid drainage from the eye, helping lower IOPs.
- Surgery: For advanced cases, your specialist may consider surgical options to improve drainage pathways for the eye fluid.
Prevention strategies are just as important as treatment. While glaucoma can’t be cured, there are proactive measures you can take to reduce your risk:
- Regular Eye Exams: Consistent check-ups with your optometrist are essential, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history or high intraocular pressure.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and manage health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Protect Your Eyes: Wearing protective eyewear during sports or when out in the sunshine can shield your eyes from potential injury or UV-related damage.
We hope answering these 5 common questions on glaucoma has helped you understand what’s involved with maintaining healthy eyesight. After all, routine eye care is vital in maintaining overall eye health and catching issues like glaucoma early. Please contact your primary healthcare provider or a qualified optometrist to discuss whether you should be considering the risk of glaucoma.
At Optical Superstore, you have a team of qualified and dedicated staff focused on providing personalised eye care to help you get the best out of your vision.
Don’t wait—schedule an eye test today to look after your eyes for healthy sight tomorrow.
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