Understand Glaucoma and its Treatments:

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which leads to irreversible blindness if left untreated. This makes it crucial for all to understand how to recognize the different types of glaucoma. It is good to know the underlying causes and the treatments that are available to manage this condition and preserve your vision.

Let’s look at the types of Glaucoma:

Each type of this eye condition comes with its own distinct characteristics:

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma occurs when the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should (like a clogged drain). This leads to an increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) i.e. the pressure inside our eyes, and starts to damage the optic nerve. This is the most common type of glaucoma and is painless, causing no vision changes at first.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This condition occurs when the iris bulges forward, causing a complete block in the drainage angle. It causes a sudden increase in the internal pressure of the eye, leading to this eye condition. It is also called an acute attack and is a true eye emergency where the person might go blind.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma: In this type of glaucoma the eye pressure stays within normal ranges but shows signs of glaucoma, such as blind spots in the field of vision and optic nerve damage.

What are the treatments for Glaucoma:

Preventing further optic nerve damage by reducing the IOP to preserve vision is the focus of Glaucoma treatment. Treatments depend on the type and severity of glaucoma and treatment options include:

Eye drops: Daily doses of eye drops like Alpha agonists, Beta-blockers, Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Miotics or Prostaglandin analogs are prescribed. These reduce the amount of fluid produced in the eyes and also help lower eye pressure.

Laser Therapy: Procedures like trabeculoplasty for open-angle glaucoma or iridotomy for angle closure glaucoma improve the drainage angles to help the fluid flow out properly.

Surgical Interventions: Trabeculectomy, tube shunt implants, and MIGS are the surgical options that create new drainage pathways or improve existing ones.

It’s important to understand the types, causes, and treatments of glaucoma so that it can be detected early and managed effectively. Regular eye exams are crucial for early diagnosis, and if you suspect you may have glaucoma or haven’t had your eyes examined in a long time, it’s a good idea to visit your nearest Infigo Eye Hospital soon. Early intervention will help preserve your vision for the future.