Questions or Comments? Please email WebMaster
Written: 04/29/02; Updated: 04/29/02 v.1.1
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, usually due to high pressure inside the eye. It can lead to a loss of vision-initially peripheral vision and then central. However, early treatment can prevent blindness.
How does it occur?When the flow of aqueous humor out of the eye becomes blocked, the pressure inside the eye increases.
Two types of glaucoma (depending on how the flow of fluid is blocked):· Open-angle glaucoma = gradual blockage of the area that drains the fluid into the drainage channels. It is the more common type of glaucoma in the US and Europe. It usually affects both eyes.
· Closed-angle glaucoma = change in the position of the iris causing blockage of the drainage channels. It usually happens in one eye at a time. When it happens suddenly, it is called acute closed-angle glaucoma and is a medical emergency.
Risk factors:Familial tendency. It occurs most often after age 35, but sometimes children have it. Glaucoma is a common in people over 60. It is more common among African Americans.
Symptoms:
Open-angle and other chronic forms of glaucoma often are asymptomatic and insidious in onset. In later stages, there will be a loss of vision. Peripheral vision is affected first followed by central.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma:
· severe eye pain
· seeing halos around lights
· nausea and vomiting
· headache
· loss of vision.Treatment:
The goal is to reduce the pressure in the eyes. This may be done with eyedrops, oral medication, laser surgery, or other types of surgery. Some eyedrops reduce the amount of fluid made, others increase the drainage. Pharmacotherapeutic solutions are life-long. Surgery relieves pressure inside the eye by opening up the drainage channel or by making another opening.
Long term effects:
Loss of vision is permanent. This is why glaucoma needs to be diagnosed and treated early to stop further damage to the optic nerve. REGULAR VISITS TO AN OPTHAMOLOGIST ARE CRUCIAL.
** The above information was adapted from "patient handouts" in MD Consult. Hopefully it's easy to understand and uses language that you can use when speaking to patients. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions of the residents and students that have helped out with previous screenings! Have a great time!
Questions or Comments? Please email WebMaster
Written: 04/29/02; Updated: 04/29/02 v.1.1
