Glaucoma
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Millions of Americans have glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma occurs when there are dangerous increases in eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP) from other eye diseases. This pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss.
A failure of the eye to maintain a good balance between the amount of fluids produced and the amount drained away is usually the cause of glaucoma. The reasons for the fluid imbalance can usually be tied to the type of glaucoma a person has.
Pain is usually non-existent, and therefore glaucoma often goes undetected. You should have regular eye exams by an eye doctor to monitor your IOP and look for any increases that may indicate a problem. Your eye doctor is the only one who can detect most glaucoma symptoms.
There are two major types of glaucoma:
- Narrow angle glaucoma - produces sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, halos around lights, eye twitching, dilated pupils, vision loss, red eyes, nausea and vomiting.
- Primary open angle glaucoma - gradually reduces your peripheral vision. If your IOP remains high, the deterioration can progress until tunnel vision develops, and you will be able to see only objects that are straight ahead.
The glaucoma treatment will vary based on the type and severity of each case. Most treatment options are aimed at lowering or controlling IOP. The first choice is often glaucoma eye drops. There are many types of eye drops for the disease and your eye doctor will prescribe the best fit for you based on your medical history and current medications. For more severe cases, glaucoma surgery, including lasers, may be necessary.
For more information on glaucoma, treatments and causes, visit AllAboutVision.com's Consumer Guide to Glaucoma.