What are the main causes of glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disorder of the eyes. Information is carried to the brain by the optic nerve which is located at the back of the eye. At times the optic nerve in the eye gets damaged causing vision loss called Glaucoma. Loss of vision caused by Glaucoma cannot be reversed.
Inside the eye, higher than normal pressure could occur causing ocular hypertension. At times IOP intraocular pressure may also occur. At first loss of peripheral vision occurs and then it could lead to blindness eventually, if Glaucoma remains untreated.
Glaucoma is of two main types out of one is Narrow Angle Glaucoma and the other is Open Angle Glaucoma. Water fluid outflow in the eye controlled by the drainage angle present inside the eye gets affected in this disease.
Narrow Angle Glaucoma is a condition in which the aqueous or watery fluid cannot the reach the drainage angle as it is blocked. There are variations of this disease including Neovascular Glaucoma, Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma and Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma.
In the case of Open Angle Glaucoma the watery fluid is able to access the drainage angle. There are variations of this disease including Congenital Glaucoma, Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, Secondary Glaucoma, Normal Tension Glaucoma, Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and Pigmentary Glaucoma.
No symptoms are experienced in the early stages of Glaucoma and this makes this disease quite dangerous. Since no symptoms are experienced it gets difficult to identify problems with eye sight. As the disease progresses, symptoms like vomiting, blurry vision, nausea, intense pain in the eye and halos around lights, suddenly occur. It is important to visit the emergency room or eye care practitioner if any of these symptoms are experienced to help prevent permanent loss of vision.
Can you cure glaucoma?
Diagnosis of Glaucoma is done with the help of routine examination of the eye. An instrument called tonometer is used for measuring IOP – Intraocular Pressure.
Glaucoma treatment includes pills, eye drops, traditional surgery, laser surgery or a combination of any of these treatments. Main aim of treatment is preventing vision loss.
The best way to prevent Glaucoma is to engage in moderate physical exercises, maintain an active lifestyle, maintain healthy weight, avoiding smoking and taking a healthy diet.
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