Glaucoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Glaucoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Glaucoma is a visual disorder characterized by damage to the optic nerve. Usually caused by increased pressure in the eyeball. Glaucoma can appear at any age but is more common in older people.

There are two types of glaucoma, namely acute glaucoma and chronic glaucoma. Acute glaucoma is glaucoma that occurs suddenly. Meanwhile, chronic glaucoma is glaucoma that occurs slowly.

Complications of glaucoma that are not handled properly, or even do not get treatment, can lead to blindness.

This blindness is caused by compression of the visual nerve due to too high eye pressure. Blindness caused by damage to the visual nerve cannot be repaired, even with surgery.

Symptom

Glaucoma symptoms include the following:

• Blurred vision.
• Sudden severe pain in the eyes and head.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Seeing rainbows around objects.
• The eye pressure rises.
• Red eye.
• Cornea cloudy or cloudy.

In chronic glaucoma symptoms, the patient’s vision will decrease. In fact, if this has been going on long enough, the patient will complain of loss of vision in one eye, while the other eye can still see.

Reason

The cause of glaucoma is the part of the eye chamber that is covered by something so that the flow of eye fluid is not smooth or accumulates in the eyeball.

Ultimately, this will lead to glaucoma or increased pressure in the eyeball. Meanwhile, the angle between the cornea and iris remains open.

Diagnosis

Examination of high eye pressure or glaucoma can be done with a tool called a slit lamp. With this tool, doctors can assess the condition of the components of the eyeball, from the cornea to the retina.

To measure eye pressure, the doctor will use a tool called tonometry. Previously, the patient’s eyes would be given a kind of eye drops that function to make the cornea immune.

To check the angle between the iris and the cornea, the doctor can perform a gonioscopy. The doctor needs to know if the angle is open or closed.

To assess visual nerve damage, the doctor will examine the nerve by first instilling eye drops to dilate the pupils.

After dripping the liquid, the patient will feel that his vision is dazzled or slightly blurred because the pupils are wide open. But you don’t need to worry, because this effect only lasts temporarily.

Treatment

Glaucoma treatment varies depending on the type.

• Acute glaucoma

  Treatment for acute glaucoma can be in the form of eye drops, injectable and drinking drugs, or surgery. Glaucoma drugs can be in the form of injections and drinks that are used, including acetazolamide, glycerol, isosorbide, and mannitol. In addition, painkillers and antiemetics can be added to reduce symptoms.

  If the angle of the eye chamber is closed more than 50%, surgery must be performed. For example: peripheral iridectomy procedures (to improve the flow of eye fluids) or trabeculectomy (to reduce eye pressure).

  For first aid in acute glaucoma, you can compress your eyes and head with cold water or take painkillers. However, after that you are advised to visit an ophthalmologist at the hospital.

• Chronic glaucoma

  Treatment for chronic glaucoma consists of drugs and surgery. This drug therapy is intended for cases that are still mild or moderate.

  Initially, the patient will be given beta-blockers for glaucomas, such as timolol, betaxolol, levobunolol, carteolol, and metipranolol. Or sympathomimetic glaucoma drugs, such as adrenaline and depriving. To prevent side effects, the drug is given at the lowest dose and the frequency of administration should not be too frequent.

  If glaucoma treatment is not effective, then you can increase the concentration of the drug, change the type of drug, or add another drug. If eye pressure can no longer be controlled with drugs, surgery can be a way out.

Prevention