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GLAUCOMA

DEFINITION OF GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) or poor blood circulation to the eye. It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to gradual vision loss.

RISK FACTORS OF GLAUCOMA

  • Increased intraocular pressure (IOP)
  • Aging (Over 40 years old)
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Diabetes and high blood pressure
  • Previous eye injuries or surgery

SYMPTOMS

 

    • Gradual loss of peripheral vision (side vision)

    • Tunnel vision in later stages

    • No pain or redness

    • May go unnoticed until significant optic nerve damage has occurred

    • Sudden, severe eye pain

    • Blurred vision or seeing halos around lights

    • Headache (often on the same side as the affected eye)

    • Nausea and vomiting

    • Red eye with a firm, tender globe to the touch

    • Rapid vision loss if untreated

      • Similar to open-angle glaucoma

      • No elevated eye pressure, but optic nerve still becomes damaged

      • May have more central vision loss than peripheral in some cases

    • Enlarged eyes (buphthalmos)

    • Cloudy or hazy cornea

    • Excessive tearing

    • Light sensitivity (photophobia)

    • Irritability and eye rubbing

    •  Should be evaluated by a pediatric ophthalmologist immediately.

    • Redness and pain

    • Blurred vision

    • Increased eye pressure

    • Visual field loss over time

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TREATMENT TYPES

Eye drops are the first-line treatment for most types of glaucoma, especially open-angle glaucoma.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

  • Used for open-angle glaucoma

  • Improves fluid drainage through the trabecular meshwork

  • Outpatient procedure, quick and painless

  • May reduce or eliminate need for eye drops

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)

  • Used for angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma

  • Creates a small hole in the iris to improve fluid flow and relieve pressure

  • Often prevents acute angle-closure attacks

Trabeculectomy

  • Creates a new drainage pathway under the eyelid

  • Reduces intraocular pressure significantly

  • Considered the gold standard surgery for moderate to advanced glaucoma

Glaucoma Drainage Implants (Tubes/Shunts)

  • Used when trabeculectomy fails or isn’t suitable

  • A small tube is implanted to divert fluid and lower pressure

        • Surgical correction is often the first-line treatment

          • Goniotomy

          • Trabeculotomy

          • Combined procedures

        • Eye drops may be used as adjunct therapy

        • Lifelong monitoring is essential

 

      • Oral and IV medications to rapidly lower pressure (e.g., acetazolamide, mannitol)

      • Laser peripheral iridotomy once pressure is controlled

      • Surgery may be necessary if laser is not effective

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FAQS

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP). It can cause irreversible vision loss if not detected and treated early. tearing, and swelling.

 

Glaucoma is typically caused by fluid buildup in the front of the eye that increases pressure. This pressure damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual signals to the brain.

Yes. The main types include:

        • Primary open-angle glaucoma – slow progression, no early symptoms

        • Angle-closure glaucoma – sudden, painful, vision-threatening emergency

        • Normal-tension glaucoma – optic nerve damage despite normal IOP

        • Congenital glaucoma – present at birth or in infancy

        • Secondary glaucoma – due to trauma, inflammation, medications, etc.

  • Open-angle glaucoma: Gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision, often unnoticed at first

  • Angle-closure glaucoma: Sudden eye pain, redness, blurred vision, halos around lights, and nausea

  • Congenital glaucoma: Cloudy eyes, light sensitivity, excessive tearing in infants

Through a comprehensive eye exam, including:

  • Measuring eye pressure (tonometry)

  • Visual field testing

  • Optic nerve imaging (OCT)

  • Gonioscopy (to examine drainage angle)

  • Dilated eye exam

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