Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye infection when the optic nerve that connects with the brain gets damaged. Fluid will build up in the front part of the eyes and increase the pressure on the eyes. If not treated sooner, it can lead to vision loss, and it’s most common among adults in their 70s and 80s.
Glaucoma types
Open-angle glaucoma is the primary type of glaucoma that develops slowly over the years and causes drainage channels in the eye that clogs over time. Other types of glaucoma are:
- Acute angle closure glaucoma: Can raise the pressure inside the eye
- Secondary glaucoma: can cause inflammation of the eye
- Childhood glaucoma: Occurs rarely only in young children that can cause abnormality to the eyes
Glaucoma symptoms
- Intense eye pain
- Vomiting and nausea
- Red-eye
- Headache
- Rings around lights
- Blurred vision
- Tenderness near the eyes
Glaucoma causes
- Age: The infection is more common among older people
- Ethnicity: The people who are origins in the Caribbean, Africa, or Asia are at high risk
- Genes: Glaucoma is more likely to run in the family history
- Medical conditions: Like diabetes, short or long-sightedness.
Glaucoma tests
A regular eye routine can help to detect glaucoma before noticeable symptoms. Optometrists do the tests, and you should at least have a routine eye check every two years. Multiple painless tests to check for glaucoma, including pressure measurements inside your eyes and vision tests. If your test turns out positive, it’s better to consider a specialist ophthalmologist to discuss further treatment.
Glaucoma treatments
Eye drops, surgery, and laser treatment are the primary treatments for the infection, but you also need regular appointments to monitor whether the treatments are working correctly.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022