Glaucoma
Glaucoma is called the “silent thief in the night.” People can have glaucoma for years and have no symptoms at all.
It is a condition where the optic nerve is damaged – which leads to loss in the Visual Field. You may have exceptionally good central vision (meaning you can see the eye chart perfectly well) but have loss in your peripheral vision.
The Visual Field from your Right Eye crosses over to your Left Eye so even when “blind spots” (scotomas) develop, you may not notice them. Your brain compensates. End stage glaucoma can be reduced to “tunnel vision” which is when many people notice and then have an eye exam.
Unfortunately, any Visual Field loss is permanent.
Visual field loss in glaucoma leads ultimately to tunnel vision.
Normal
Moderate disease
End-stage disease
Risk factors
Family history of glaucoma
Being > 40 years
Narrow anterior chamber angles. Fluid inside your eye (called aqueous humour), usually flows through a mesh-like channel. If this channel gets blocked, the pressure in the eye builds up.
Thin corneas
High hyperopia
Diabetes
An annual eye exam is advised for anyone who falls in this category
Diagnosis
There are four tests used to make a diagnosis. Here at RMO we have the most up to date equipment to help do this.
Optical coherence Tomography (OCT) for Optic Nerve analysis
Intra Ocular Pressures (IOP’s)
Click on the links to learn more about the tests.
Treatment
The aim of treatment is to keep things from progressing. Any loss in the Visual Field before diagnosis is irreversible. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of glaucoma.
Eyedrops - These work to low eye pressure by:
a. Reducing the creation of fluid in your eye or
b. Increase its flow out, lowering eye pressure.
Side effects include allergies, redness, stinging, blurred vision, and irritated eyes.
Drops are very effective in early glaucoma.
Laser surgery - Iridotomy or trabeculoplasty to open the existing channel.
Microsurgery - Trabeculectomy: a new drainage channel is created.