Glaucoma: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments | Complete Guide
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, often caused by high intraocular pressure. It is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, especially in people over 60.
Important: Glaucoma is often called "the silent thief of sight" because many forms of the disease do not cause symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
Types of Glaucoma
- Open-angle glaucoma: The most common form, it develops slowly and painlessly.
- Angle-closure glaucoma: Less common but more serious, it can cause severe pain and rapid vision loss.
- Normotensive glaucoma: A type of glaucoma where eye pressure remains normal.
- Congenital glaucoma: A rare form that is present at birth or develops in the first few years of life.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the type of glaucoma and the stage of the disease:
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain (in acute glaucoma)
- Heachache
- Nausea and vomiting (in severe cases)
- Halos around lights
Prevention: Early diagnosis through regular checkups is essential to prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma.
Risk Factors
- Age over 60 years
- Family history of glaucoma
- High intraocular pressure
- Ethnicity (more common in some populations)
- Medical conditions such as diabetes and myopia
Treatments
Glaucoma treatment aims to reduce intraocular pressure through:
- Eye drops: First line of treatment
- Laser: Laser Trabeculoplasty to improve drainage
- Surgery: In more severe cases or when other treatments are not sufficient
- Combination therapy: Using multiple therapeutic approaches
Tips for Everyday Life
- Have regular eye checkups
- Strictly follow the prescribed therapy
- Protecting your eyes during sports activities
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Avoid smoking
When to see a doctor:
If you notice any changes in your vision or have risk factors for glaucoma, see an eye doctor immediately.