Glaucoma

Overview

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma usually occurs when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

Open-angle glaucoma has no initial symptoms. The pressure in the eye builds up gradually. At some point, the optic nerve is damaged, and side vision (peripheral vision) is lost. Without treatment, total blindness will occur. Similarly, people with normal-tension glaucoma will not experience any symptoms until they begin to lose peripheral vision. Acute closed-angle glaucoma is the result of a sudden blockage in the normal flow of eye fluid between the iris and the lens. Symptoms include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and seeing a rainbow halo around lights.

Treatment/Procedures

The objective of glaucoma treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure. Depending on the type of glaucoma, this is achieved with medications or by surgery, including YAG laser capsulotomy.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent open-angle glaucoma, but you can prevent vision loss from the condition. Early diagnosis and careful management are the keys to preventing vision loss. Most people with open-angle glaucoma have no symptoms. Everyone over age 40 should have an eye examination at least once every five years, and more often for anyone in a high-risk group. Those in high-risk groups include people with a family history of open-angle glaucoma.

Rehabilitation

Patients can return quickly to many everyday activities, but vision may be blurry. The healing eye needs time to adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye. The doctor will advise when patients can resume driving.