Glaucoma
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions where an
increase in fluid pressure inside the eye gradually damages the
optic nerve causing vision loss.
Because the loss of vision happens slowly, a person with
glaucoma may not notice any changes to their vision until a
significant reduction in sight has occurred. Without treatment,
this loss continues until the eye is blind. It may surprise you to
know that you often can't feel any increase in the pressure of your
eye. The only way to know is to get your optometrist to measure it.
The other reason that glaucoma is often called "the silent thief of
sight" is that it damages your peripheral vision. We are all aware
of what blurred vision maybe like, but we can not accurately
measure our side vision or be aware if it has changed. All Visique
optometrists can measure your peripheral vision, and monitor it for
change.
There are three main types of glaucoma:
- Chronic glaucoma is the most common type where the drainage
channels slowly become blocked over many years.
- Acute glaucoma occurs when there is a sudden blockage of the
drainage system. This is painful and causes permanent damage to
sight if not treated promptly.
- Secondary glaucoma is where injury, inflammation or tumour
blocks the drainage channels.
Anyone may develop glaucoma, but the risk tends to increase with
age (about 2 in 100 New Zealanders over 40 years of age have
glaucoma) and is more likely if there is a family history of
glaucoma.
Treatment
While glaucoma cannot currently be prevented, early treatment
can help protect your eyes against vision loss. Because there are
often no symptoms at first, regular eye examinations with your
Visique optometrist, especially for those over 40 years of age, can
help detect glaucoma in its early stages.
Video: What is Glaucoma?