Eye Disease: Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by the build up of pressure within the eye causing damage to the main nerve of the eye resulting in loss of vision and potentially blindness. Glaucoma affects an estimated 3 million Americans, with 120,000 blind due to the condition. Half of the individuals do not even know they have this blinding eye disease. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Moderate Glaucoma:

Severe Glaucoma:

Chronic open angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. Fluid is constantly flowing within the eye and with this type of glaucoma the fluid does not exit the eye normally and causes the pressure inside the eye to rise and damage sight. Untreated this can lead to blindness over time. Most people who have glaucoma have no symptoms. A routine eye exam along with checking the eye pressure and examining the inside of the eye for changes in the optic nervehead can usually detect glaucoma. Additional testing may consist of examination of the drainage network of the eye, photographs of the optic nervehead and visual field testing. Once a diagnosis of glaucoma or a pre-glaucoma state is made treatment is initiated most commonly consisting of eye drops that either decrease the production of fluid in the eye or help with the drainage of fluid out of the eye or a combination of the two. In some cases pills, laser treatment or surgery is recommended.

Closed angle glaucoma is a less common form of glaucoma in which the eye pressure rises suddenly and must be treated immediately to prevent blindness. Most often this form of glaucoma is accompanied by severe pain and blurred vision. It is treated with eye drops followed by laser treatment or less commonly surgery to lower the pressure and restore the normal flow of fluid in the eye.

Narrow angle glaucoma is similar to closed angle glaucoma but the pressure rise tends not to be sudden and can occur without symptoms. This condition is usually treated with a combination of laser and eye drops.

Glaucoma is a treatable cause of blindness. Early detection is critical since treatment can only prevent and not restore vision loss.