Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the fluid pressure inside the eye is abnormally high.  The elevated pressure occurs because the fluid is not drained out of the eye properly.  This causes damage to the optic nerve and therefore, causes vision loss.

What are the different types of Glaucoma?

There are two main types of glaucoma: chronic (open-angle) glaucoma and acute (angle-closure) glaucoma.  The majority of the people with glaucoma have open-angle glaucoma.  In this type, the drainage channel is open, but the fluid does not flow out because the "drain" is clogged.  The pressure gradually builds up in the eye.  Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage channel suddenly becomes closed.  This causes a sudden increase in the pressure and requires immediate medical care.

What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?

For chronic (open-angle) glaucoma, there are no real signs and symptoms until the vision is already affected.  By this time, vision is lost and cannot be regained.  Because of this, it is important that patients have regular appointments to check the pressure in the eye.  Acute (angle-closure) glaucoma does have symptoms associated with the very high intraocular pressure. These include, but are not limited to, blurred vision, severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, vomiting, and haloes around lights.

Who gets Glaucoma?

Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but there are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.  These include: increasing age, race, diabetes, high blood pressure, nearsightedness, long-term steroid treatment, eye injuries, and family history.  Because glaucoma can be hereditary, any family members of someone with glaucoma should have regular eye examinations.

 

Treatment

Treatment: Usually, medication is prescribed to lower intraocular pressure.  This can be eye drops or pills. Sometimes surgery is indicated when the medications are not working effectively or there are problems with the side effects of the medications.  Laser Surgery or conventional surgery can be performed to help lower the intraocular pressure.

Zion Eye Institute is dedicated to providing the highest quality eye care to patients in Southern Utah, Nevada and Northern Arizona.

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