Glaucoma

Overview

Glaucoma is a common but serious eye condition which is caused by increased fluid pressure within the eyeball. This pressure can damage the blood vessels and nerves in the eyes. It is one of the main causes of blindness.

Signs and Symptoms

Blurred or foggy vision, Halos around lights, Tunnel vision, Patchy blind spots in the central or peripheral vision, Pain in the eye, Eye redness, Nausea and vomiting, Severe headache

Common Causes

Damage to blood vessels and optic nerves as a result of abnormally high intraocular pressure, Blunt or chemical injury to the eye, Blocked blood vessels inside the eye, Severe eye infection, Inflammatory conditions, Eye surgery, Genetic factors

Risk Factors

Increasing age, Being an African, Hispanic or Asian, Family history of glaucoma, Having high intraocular pressure, Have had an eye injury, Previous eye surgery, Having certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, Being farsighted or nearsighted, Thinning of the centre of the cornea, Prolonged usage of certain medications such as corticosteroids

Investigation Techniques

Medical history, Visual acuity test, Visual field test, Dilated eye examination to examine the retina and optic nerve, Tonometry to measure the intraocular pressure, Pachymetry to measure the thickness of the cornea, Gonioscopy to examine the drainage angle

Treatment and Prevention

Eyedrop medications such as alpha agonists, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, miotics, prostaglandin analogues, Oral medications such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Laser surgery such as trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation, Trabeculectomy, Glaucoma drainage devices