14/03/2024
Glaucoma awareness:
Glaucoma is a group of progressive eye disease that affect the optic nerve with or without increase in intraocular pressure .
It causes vision loss and blindness if remains unchecked.
It is the second leading cause of irreversible and avoidable blindness globally.
One out of every twenty Nigerian above 40years has Glaucoma , most of which are unaware since it is asymptomatic.
Causes of glaucoma
(who is at Risk ?)
1. Age ≥40
2.High intraocular pressure
3.High Refractive Error
4. High blood pressure
5. Family History
6.Central cornea thinning
7.African, Asian and Hispanics heritage.
8.Prolong use of corticosteroids (steroidal drugs)
9.Diabetics
10. Poor blood circulation (perfusion)
11. Migraines
12.Eye injury/trauma etc.
Types of Glaucoma
1. Primary open angle Glaucoma
2. Closed Angle Glaucoma/Acute Angle closure Glaucoma/Narrow Angle closure Glaucoma
3.Pigment Dispersion Syndrome/ Pigmentary Glaucoma.
4. Low / Normo-tension Glaucoma etc .
1. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma, it usually come without symptoms (Asymptomatic) except when it has claimed the peripheral vision. It is chronic and progressive , it can go undetected for years , until the considerable damage is done.
That is why we advocate for biannual comprehensive eye examination.
Primary open Glaucoma can cause gradual , progressive and painless visual loss.
At this point , it is only your Optometrist/Opthalmologist that can diagnose it.
2. Closed Angle Glaucoma/ Narrow Angle Glaucoma
This type of Glaucoma causes sudden and painful visual loss , it comes with symptoms/Signs e.g
Frontal Headache,
Severe eye pain,
Redness,
Vomiting,
Nausea ( feeling sick in your stomach)
Sudden blurring/cloudy vision,
Sees Rainbow colored rings ,halos , Rainbows around light. Etc.
3. Pigmentary Glaucoma
It occurs when the pigment rubs off the posterior iris . This pigment may cause an elevated Intraocular pressure and leads to Pigmentary Glaucoma.
People with Pigmentary Dispersion Syndrome may see halos and cloudy vision after sports like jogging and playing basketball.
4. Low/Normo-tension Glaucoma
This is a type of glaucoma that shows a progressive optic nerve atrophy or damage even with low or normal eye pressure.
The optic nerves become sensitive to the low/normal pressure of the eye , it is also asymptomatic.
Diagnosis
Visit a nearby Eye Clinic, your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist will run some test on you e.g
Funduscopy ,
Intraocular pressure test,
Optic nerve examination / Neuro-retinal Rims evaluation ( ISNT RULE violation).
Corneal thickness evaluation,
Drainage Angle integrity.
Peripheral vision test.
It is only your eye Doctor can diagnose Glaucoma.
Management
Glaucoma can not be cured but rather managed through out life.
Note : Any vision lost by glaucoma can not be recovered , you only try to reduce the progression of the damage . Any vision left must be maintained.
Effective management must be achieved with compliance of the patient by taking his/her medications and check up/appointments seriously to avoid vision deterioration.
Medication:
A Glaucoma patient must be on daily Eyedrops/drugs to control the pressure and preserve the optic nerve fibers, and maintain normal blood flow.
On no account should you discontinue your medication without informing your eye Doctor.
It is a life time issue.
Surgery :
Another way of managing Glaucoma is by surgery in combination with medication:
Your Doctor can decide to carry out surgery on your eyes e.g
Iridotomy,
Trabeculoctomy /Trabeculoplastic etc
Dr Offor Benedict
