Types,causes, symptoms, treatment of glaucoma:

This article is on the Types,causes, symptoms, treatment of glaucoma.

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What happens if you have glaucoma?

 Glaucoma is a group of a diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure. Glaucoma can cause damage of the optic nerve , which in turn is responsible for the blindness.

The drainage of aqueous humor through trabeculae is blocked in glaucoma resulting in increased intraocular pressure.

The optic nerve fibers at the optic disk are compressed when the intraocular pressure rises above 60 mmHg. 

Initially the effect of this condition is the decrease in the visual field,which then cause total blindness.

To protect the eyes from serious vision loss ,early treatment is required. If it is left untreated it can cause damage of the optic nerve and results in blindness.

Types of glaucoma:

Elevation of intraocular pressure causing Glaucoma can occur at any stage of life. In a baby who born with increased intraocular pressure, congenital glaucoma develops. 

If glaucoma ,occur in fants then it is regarded as infantile glaucoma. And if it happen in childhood then this type of glaucoma is known as juvenile glaucoma.

Generally there is present two types of glaucoma, these are: Primary open angle glaucoma and primary angle closure glaucoma.

1.Primary open angle glaucoma:

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma accounts for about 80% of all cases of glaucoma. 

The term open angle refers to drainage system,which is responsible for the draining of aqueous humor from the eye.

There is no visible obstruction in the drainage system in primary open angle glaucoma. Still intraocular pressure increases causing drainage of the optic nerve.

Actual cause of the primary open angle glaucoma is not known. It is suggested that beyond limbus,a microscopic blockage in the drainage system  may obstruct the flow of aqueous humor.

It then can cause a gradual increase in the intraocular pressure.

2. Primary angle closure glaucoma:

Angle closure glaucoma,Image by-James Heilman, MD,Source-wikimedia,License-CC BY-SA 3.0

Primary angle closure glaucoma is characterized by visible obstruction of drainage system for aqueous humor.

Iris is pushed against cornea preventing the drainage of aqueous humor.

Over the period of few hours intraocular pressure rises.

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Causes of glaucoma-Can glaucoma be caused by stress?

 Blockage in the drainage system of aqueous humor in trabeculae is responsible for the glaucoma.Which  then can result in increased intraocular pressure. 

It can also cause secondary to other disorders ,which affect the eyes. Diabetes, excess use of drugs such as corticosteroid etc are responsible for secondary glaucoma.

Symptoms of glaucoma:

POAG is a salient chronic disease without any early symptoms. Symptoms that develop in later stages include headache and rapid reduction in visual acuity and visual field.

Symptoms of glaucoma (Headache)

Symptoms that develop in the early stages in PACG are severe pain in the eye or eyebrow, headache, blurred vision,and rainbow halo around bulb light .

We should treat immediately if two or more of these symptoms appear together.

Treatment for glaucoma - Can glaucoma be cured?

Treatment does not cure glaucoma but we should treat it to prevent further damage of optic nerve. Treatment is aimed at lowering the intraocular pressure. 

It is achieved by using eye drops or medicine alone or in combination with laser treatment. By these methods,if intraocular cannot be controlled then surgery is important.

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