Glaucoma – What It Is, Causes and Treatments

Types of Glaucoma:

Open Angle Glaucoma: also known as chronic glaucoma, this type is the most common, representing about 80% of cases and reaching people from 40 years of age.
This type of glaucoma is characterized by slow development, damaging the optic nerve gradually. Therefore, it is asymptomatic and does not generate serious damage in the short term;

Closed Angle Glaucoma: Closed-Angle Glaucoma is also called acute glaucoma. This variation differs by appearing suddenly and unexpectedly, causing serious damage immediately;

Secondary Glaucoma: Secondary Glaucoma is developed by external factors, such as the use of corticosteroid drugs, traumas, eye surgeries and diabetes;

Congenital Glaucoma: Congenital Glaucoma as its name implies, this is a hereditary type, that is, the child is born with the disease. These cases are rarer and corrected with surgery, most of the time.

Causes of Glaucoma: The causes of Glaucoma, although it can affect several members of a family are unknown. So if you have a family history, it is advisable to go to the ophthalmologist regularly. In any case, it is recommended to review at least every two years, because the detection of Glaucoma is very simple.

Risk factors: Some risk factors that can contribute to the development of Glaucoma that can lead to blindness if untreated. Check:

• High intraocular pressure;
• Age over 60 years or above 40 years, for the case of acute glaucoma;
• African Americans are more likely to develop Glaucoma than Caucasian people, especially those over 40 years of age;
• Family history of glaucoma can increase an individual’s chances of developing Glaucoma as well;
• Diabetes, heart problems, hypertension and hyperthyroidism can also lead to Glaucoma;
• Diseases in the eye, such as some tumors, retinal detachment and inflammations, increase the risk of Glaucoma;
• Long-term use of corticosteroid-based medications.

Symptoms of Glaucoma: Glaucoma symptoms usually vary depending on the type of the disease. Check:

Open Angle Glaucoma: Many people DO NOT show symptoms until the onset of vision loss.

• The gradual loss of lateral peripheral vision, also called tubular vision.

Closed Angle Glaucoma: Symptoms of Closed Angle Glaucoma may be intermittent at first or worsen promptly

• Severe and sudden pain in one eye
• Diminished or blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Red eyes
• Swollen-looking eyes.
• Congenital glaucoma

Symptoms of Glaucoma are usually noticed when the child is a few months old:

• Cloudiness at the front of the eye
• Augmentof one eye or both eyes
• Red eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Lacrimation.

Glaucoma Treatment: Although high intraocular pressure is not the only cause of Glaucoma, so far decreasing it is the main treatment. Intraocular pressure can be decreased with medications, in general, eye drops.

If this pressure does not decrease with the use of medications, a surgical procedure may be indicated for the treatment of Glaucoma, both laser and traditional surgery.

Prevent glaucoma: As Glaucoma can go unnoticed during its early stages, they are subjected to periodic evaluations with the measurement of intraocular pressure, it is the most effective means to detect and stop the advance of Glaucoma.

The usual correction is especially recommended from 45 years of age from which the disease is most prevalent.

Note: If Glaucoma is suspected, do not wait for visible signs of eye problems.