Glaucoma Awareness
Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve which sends images to the brain. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. If the damage worsens, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or even total blindness within a few years.
Types of glaucoma
1. Primary open-angle glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma which happens gradually, where the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should (like a clogged drain). The drain structure in your eye (called the trabecular meshwork) looks fine, but fluid doesn’t flow out as it should. This type of glaucoma is painless and causes no vision changes at first until the damage is quite severe.
However, some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure which means their risk of getting glaucoma is higher than normal.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma (also called “closed-angle glaucoma” or “narrow-angle glaucoma”)
This type of glaucoma happens when the 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 the eye. It’s also linked to farsightedness and cataracts, a clouding of the lens inside the eye.
Here are the signs of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack; blurred vision, severe eye pain, headaches, nausea, rainbow-coloured rings or halos, to mention a few. Many people with angle-closure glaucoma develop it slowly and if not treated right away can cause blindness.
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
People above 40
People with a family health history of glaucoma
People of African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage
People with high eye pressure
People who are farsighted or nearsighted
People who have had an eye injury
People who use long-term steroid medications
People who have corneas that are thin in the centre
People who have diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, poor blood circulation or other health problems affecting the whole body
To mention a few.
Glaucoma damage is permanent, meaning it cannot be reversed. But eye drop medicine and surgery help to stop further damage. Most people with glaucoma who follow their treatment plan and have regular eye exams are able to keep their vision.
The population should be aware of this vision stealing eye condition and take the onus to regularly go for eye check-ups and keep consistent eye care treatment.
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