Eye Disorders: Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye generally thought to be caused by high intraocular pressure that leads to optic nerve damage. Increased pressure is caused when the passages that allow the fluid inside the eye to drain become blocked. Over time, the fluid pressure builds, leading to nerve damage that causes gradual loss of peripheral vision and if untreated, blindness. Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form, and it develops slowly and painlessly with no symptoms. Without warning signs, the only way to know the disease exists is through a thorough eye examination. A much less common form of Glaucoma is Acute Angle Closure. This type of Glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle inside the eye becomes blocked, causing a sudden elevation in pressure. Symptoms include extreme pain, headache, nausea, redness of the eye, and blurred vision. This is considered an ocular emergency requiring immediate treatment and often surgical management. Glaucoma may also be caused by an anatomically narrow drainage angle, intraocular inflammation, certain medications, and trauma. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, Glaucoma cannot be cured, but can be controlled effectively with early diagnosis and treatment. Eye drops are the most common form of treatment for Glaucoma, and work either by reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces, enhancing outflow, or both. When medication does not effectively decrease the intraocular pressure to acceptable levels, laser treatment and filtering surgeries may be necessary.