Glaucoma is a disease caused when a fluid pressure builds up inside the eyeball, damaging the retina and optic nerve ( which sends visual information to the brain)
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.
A simple machine called Tonometer is used during an eye examination to determine the internal pressure.
If diagnosed early enough, glaucoma can be controlled, resulting in little or no more loss of vision.
If not treated, peripheral as well as central vision is destroyed and blindness may occur.
Causes of Glaucoma?
It is not known precisely why the passages that allow the eye fluid to drain clog or block up, causing a rise in pressure and subsequent (permanent) nerve damage.
Pressure can also rise due to infection, injury or tumour.
Glaucoma is most common in people over 40 years of age and older, regular and full eye examinations are essential
In addition, a tendency to develop glaucoma also runs in certain families (hereditary) and short-sighted people and diabetics- more prone.
Types of Glaucoma
Primary Open - Angle Glaucoma
Produces no pain and little noticeable disturbance in vision.
Without warning, you may actually have lost vision before any symptoms appear.
Acute Angle - Closure Gaucoma
Caused by sudden blockage of the eye’s drainage passage.
Pressure builds up quickly, vision becomes blurred, lights appear to have coloured rings around them and eyes are red and painful.
