What Is Glaucoma?
The optic nerve of your eye is harmed by the disease glaucoma, which worsens over time. It frequently has to do with an increase in pressure inside your eye. As a rule, glaucoma runs in families. Usually, you don't develop it until much later in life.
The optic nerve that transmits images to your brain may get damaged as a result of increasing intraocular pressure in your eye. Glaucoma can within a few years result in total blindness or irreversible vision loss if the disease develops.
Most glaucoma sufferers don't experience any pain or early symptoms. Regular eye exams will enable your eye doctor to detect and treat glaucoma before it causes long-term vision loss.
Although it is impossible to restore lost sight, decreasing eye pressure can help you preserve the sight you already have. Most glaucoma patients who adhere to their medication schedule and receive frequent eye exams are able to maintain their vision.
Glaucoma Causes
Aqueous humor, the liquid that makes up your eye, normally exits the eye through a mesh-like tube. The fluid can accumulate if this route becomes clogged or the eye is producing too much fluid. Sometimes, the source of this blockage is unknown to doctors, but it might be inherited, or transferred from parents to children.
A chemical or traumatic eye injury, a serious eye infection, a blockage inside the eye, and inflammatory diseases are other less common causes of glaucoma. It's uncommon, but occasionally eye surgery to treat another condition can cause it. Usually, both eyes are affected, although sometimes one eye may be more severely affected.
Glaucoma Risk Factors
Young adults, kids, and even infants can get glaucoma, but adults over the age of 40 are more commonly affected. African Americans are more likely to develop it, earlier in life, and with more visual loss.
You’re more likely to get it if you:
Are of African American, Irish, Russian, Japanese, Hispanic, Inuit, or Scandinavian descent
Are older than 40 years
Have a family history of glaucoma
Are nearsighted or farsighted
Have poor vision
Have diabetes
Take certain steroid medications such as prednisone
Take certain drugs for bladder control or seizures or some over-the-counter cold remedies
Have had an injury to your eye or eyes
Have corneas that are thinner than usual
Have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or sickle cell anemia
Have high eye pressure
Congenital Glaucoma in Infants
This typically manifests in infants or throughout the infant's early years. These signs include:
Tearing, sensitivity to light, and eyelid spasms
A larger cornea and clouding of the normally transparent cornea
Habitual rubbing of the eyes, squinting, or keeping the eyes closed much of the time.
Types of Glaucoma
There are two main types:
Open-angle glaucoma. This is the most common type. Your doctor may also call it wide-angle glaucoma. The drain structure in your eye (called the trabecular meshwork) looks fine, but fluid doesn’t flow out like it should.
Angle-closure glaucoma. This is more common in Asia. It is also called acute or chronic angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma. Your eye doesn’t drain like it should because the drain space between your iris and cornea becomes too narrow. This can cause a sudden buildup of pressure in your eye. It’s also linked to farsightedness and cataracts—a clouding of the lens inside your eye.
Less common types of glaucoma include:
Secondary glaucoma. This is when another condition, such as cataracts or diabetes, causes added pressure in your eye. Inflammation inside your eye (your doctor will call this uveitis) can cause you to see halos. Bright lights might bother your eyes (you’ll hear your doctor call this light sensitivity or photophobia).
Normal-tension glaucoma. This is when you have blind spots in your vision or your optic nerve is damaged although your eye pressure is within the average range. Some experts say it’s a form of open-angle glaucoma.
Pigmentary glaucoma. With this form, tiny bits of pigment from your iris (the colored part of your eye) get into the fluid inside your eye and clog the drainage canals.
Glaucoma Symptoms
The majority of those who have open-angle glaucoma exhibit no symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they often do so toward the end of the illness. The main symptom of glaucoma is typically loss of side, or peripheral, vision, which is why it is frequently referred to as the "sneak thief of vision."
Angle-closure glaucoma symptoms typically appear sooner and are more pronounced. Damage may happen very quickly. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms:
Seeing halos around lights
Vision loss
Redness in your eye
Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
Upset stomach or vomiting
Eye pain
What Does Glaucoma Feel Like?
Acute narrow-angle or closed-angle glaucoma. The symptoms appear suddenly: People frequently say that this is "the worst eye pain of my life."
Severe throbbing eye pain
Eye redness
Headaches (on the same side as the affected eye)
Blurry or foggy vision
Halos around lights
Dilated pupil
Nausea and vomiting
Glaucoma of this kind is a medical emergency. Visit an emergency room or an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) right away. Optic nerve damage can start within a few hours, and if it is not treated within 6 to 12 hours, it can result in severe, long-lasting vision loss or blindness, as well as a permanently enlarged (dilated) pupil.
Glaucoma Diagnosis
The glaucoma test is quick and painless. Your vision will be evaluated by an eye doctor. Your pupils will be widened (dilated) with drops when they inspect your eyes.
Your optic nerve will be examined for glaucoma symptoms. They might take pictures so they can document changes on your subsequent appointment. To check your eye pressure, a procedure known as tonometry will be performed. To determine if you have lost peripheral vision, they could also perform a visual field exam.
Your doctor may request specialized imaging examinations of your optic nerve if they have glaucoma suspicions.
If you have undergone refractive surgery, such as LASIK, let your doctor know. The reading of your ocular pressure may be impacted.
Eye pressure that is higher than usual does not necessarily indicate glaucoma. In actuality, some individuals with normal blood pressure may experience it, while those with higher levels may not. Ocular hypertension is high pressure without harm to the visual nerve. Your doctor will want to check your eyes frequently if you have this.
Glaucoma Treatment
The most popular treatment for open-angle glaucoma consists of a mix of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. The first line of treatment for most patients is usually medicine, but early laser surgery or microsurgery may be more effective.
Eye drops. These either accelerate the fluid's passage out of your eye or reduce its production, decreasing ocular pressure. Allergies, redness, stinging, blurred vision, and itchy eyes are examples of side effects. Your heart and lungs may be impacted by some glaucoma medications. Tell your doctor about all of your current drugs and any other medical conditions you have because there could be drug interactions. Additionally, let them know if you have trouble adhering to a regimen that calls for using two or three different eye drops or if there are any negative side effects. They might be able to alter the course of your care.
Oral medication. Additionally, your doctor might advise you to take oral medications like a beta-blocker or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. These medications can facilitate fluid drainage or inhibit fluid production in your eye.
Laser surgery. If you have open-angle glaucoma, this technique may be able to modestly enhance the flow of fluid from your eye. If you suffer from angle-closure glaucoma, it can prevent fluid blockage. Procedures consist of:
Trabeculoplasty. This opens the drainage area.
Iridotomy. This makes a tiny hole in your iris to let fluid flow more freely.
Cyclophotocoagulation. This treats areas of the middle layer of your eye to lower fluid production.
Microsurgery. Your doctor constructs a new channel to drain the fluid and lower eye pressure during a treatment known as a trabeculectomy. There may be a need for multiple instances of this kind of surgery. Your doctor may implant a tube to assist with fluid drainage. In addition to bleeding or infection, this procedure has the potential to result in temporary or permanent vision loss.
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. This type of surgery is more recent and less intrusive; it typically calls for small incisions and employs equipment that is invisible to the human eye. Although generally faster and safer, it won't significantly reduce pressure. Additionally, the operation can be performed concurrently with another procedure, such cataract surgery.
The most popular treatment for open-angle glaucoma consists of a mix of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. The first line of treatment for most patients is usually medicine, but early laser surgery or microsurgery may be more effective.
Typically, a laser technique is used to treat acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Surgery is frequently used to treat infant or congenital glaucoma, which is a condition that affects you from birth and is brought on by an issue with your drainage system.
Marijuana and Glaucoma
Research from the 1970s claimed that marijuana use could relieve eye pressure. But to significantly reduce ocular pressure, considerably more would be required. Additionally, it reduces blood pressure, which could negate any benefits from marijuana by reducing the amount of blood your optic nerve receives.
There is no scientific proof that marijuana is more effective than current treatments, according to reviews by the National Eye Institute and Institute of Medicine.
Tips for Living With Glaucoma
Glaucoma requires ongoing follow-up visits to your eye doctor because it's a chronic ailment.
Get moving. Regular exercise may help to maintain blood flow to your eye's nerves and minimize eye pressure. Consult your doctor about the appropriate fitness regimen for you because some activities can raise your blood pressure.
Eat healthy. Enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet. Although it won't stop your glaucoma from growing worse, it's essential to maintaining the health of your body and eyes. According to certain research, eating foods rich in antioxidants may be beneficial for glaucoma patients. Consume more foods high in nutrients, such as:
Dark, leafy greens
Fish that's packed with omega-3 fatty acids
Take your medicine. Take your drops or pills precisely as prescribed. To ensure that you don't forget, set a reminder on your watch or phone. Missing medication could worsen your glaucoma.
Careful with contacts. If you utilize prescription eye drops, you should be able to continue using contact lenses. However, if you don't have lenses in, you might need to take some medication. Additionally, some older drugs may alter your eyeglass prescription. Additionally, having surgery might make it difficult for you to use contacts.
Don't smoke. Maintaining your body's health is crucial, yet smoking has negative effects. Smoking also raises blood pressure and causes inflammatory changes in the eyes that can make you more susceptible to diabetes and cataracts. Both are glaucoma risk factors. If you smoke, seek help from your doctor on how to stop.
Watch your caffeine. Watch how much soda, coffee, and tea you drink. Your ocular pressure can rise if you consume too much caffeine. According to one study, drinking only one cup of coffee can significantly increase your ocular pressure for up to 90 minutes.
Elevate your head. When you are sleeping, use a wedge pillow. It will somewhat keep your head elevated. Your eye pressure should be decreased as a result.
Drink fluids slowly. Instead of reducing your consumption, spread out your drinks throughout the day. Your eyes may become fatigued if you consume a lot all at once. Never consume more than a quart at once. Instead, take little sips.
Protect your eyes. Wear safety glasses when gardening or participating in contact sports. Whenever you swim, use goggles. Use non-allergenic brands and frequently replace makeup products when shopping. Always wear sunglasses outside, particularly in the summer or near reflective surfaces like sand, snow, and water. Glare can be highly painful to eyes that have glaucoma.
Don't rub. Your medication as well as glaucoma may itch your eyes. Still, resist the desire. Scratching them will only make matters worse. Ask your doctor if you can cure dryness with drops.
Drive safely. As long as they pass their state's vision exam, the majority of glaucoma sufferers can still operate a vehicle. Simply put, how much vision you still have will determine your ability to drive. Those who have advanced glaucoma may be able to renew their licenses with restrictions. Inquire with your doctor if driving will be a problem for you.
Be careful with yoga. Some yoga postures could require some modification. Your eye pressure may rise with certain head-down postures that place your heart above your eyes. Despite the lack of evidence to the contrary, it is not advised to practice yoga poses that put more pressure on the eyes. You might wish to stay away from positions like:
Downward-facing dog
Standing forward bend
Plow
Legs up the wall
How Can I Help a Parent With Glaucoma?
The discovery of glaucoma can be frightening. Many elderly adults are coping with a number of age-related issues. They frequently worry that if they lose their vision, they will become a financial burden on the family. So first, reassure your parent that with the right treatment and care, many people are able to maintain their vision.
Next, assist your loved one in developing a routine to ensure that they receive their eyedrops on time and appropriately. They might need to insert them numerous times every day. It's not an easy process for anyone to remember, but persons with arthritis may find it more challenging. You could volunteer to assist, perhaps by contacting or paying a visit to the house. Otherwise, make sure a plan is in place by speaking with the doctor of your parents. To avoid irreversible vision loss in glaucoma, adhering to a treatment plan is crucial.
Do what you can to assist your parent in getting ready for surgery, and make arrangements for transportation to any subsequent doctor's appointments.
A person with vision impairment can still write checks, organize their kitchen, know the time, and even play cards with the aid of a variety of services and goods. To discover more, get in touch with the Glaucoma Foundation.
The biggest assistance you can provide is your emotional support, keep in mind.
Glaucoma Prevention
Glaucoma cannot be prevented. However, you can reduce your risk of causing eye damage if you identify it quickly. These actions could aid in preserving your vision:
Have regular eye exams. The earlier your doctor detects glaucoma symptoms, the sooner you can begin treatment. Every three to five years, people should all have glaucoma exams. Every one to two years, have a thorough eye exam performed by an eye doctor if you are older than 40 and have a family history of the illness. You might need to attend more frequently if you have health issues like diabetes or are at risk for other eye illnesses.
Learn your family history. Find out whether any of your kin have received a glaucoma diagnosis.
Follow your doctor’s instructions. They may administer eye drops to lower your eye pressure if they discover it is high.
Exercise. Take part in moderate exercise, such as jogging or walking, at least three times a week.
Protect your eyes. When working on home improvement tasks or participating in sports, wear safety goggles.
When to Call the Doctor
Your eye hurts and is red. It might indicate more significant eye disorders including acute narrow-angle glaucoma, inflammation, infection, or another one. To avoid permanent eye injury or blindness, you could need emergency medical care.
After using eye drops to treat glaucoma, you feel sleepy, exhausted, or out of breath. It can imply that the medication is making a lung or heart condition worse.
Inform your doctor about the drugs you are taking. Acute closed-angle glaucoma attacks can be brought on by several pharmaceuticals, even over-the-counter medicines, particularly those prescribed to treat stomach and intestinal issues, sinus and cold congestion, and other conditions. When you see the eye doctor, bring a list of all your medications with you.
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