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Telephone: 01245 933572
Email: info@support4sight.org.uk
Support 4 Sight
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Essex
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Glaucoma is where the pressure within the eyeball increases or there is a weakness in the structure of the optic nerve, leading to a loss of side (peripheral) vision.
Anyone can develop Glaucoma, but some factors can put you at more risk, such as;
- Eye pressure: pressure over 21mmHg can lead to primary open angle glaucoma
- Age: more common as your get older
- Sex: Primary close angle glaucoma is two to three times more common in women
- Family History: if you have a close blood relative (a parent, brother, sister or child) you are at greater risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma
- Your race: Primary open angle glaucoma is two to three times more common in people with African Caribbean ethnic backgrounds. It’s also more likely to develop earlier in life
- Your eyesight prescription: Being short sighted can increase risk of primary open angle glaucoma. Being long sighted makes closed angle glaucoma more common
- Diabetes: increases risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma
- Steroid medication: can be a complication from long term use
Types of Glaucoma
Primary Glaucoma
This occurs without known cause and isn’t caused by any other eye condition.
- Primary Open angle Glaucoma: damage to the optic nerve occurs slowly over a long period of time due to eye pressure increasing to more than 21mmHg. Blind spots can begin to form in the outer edges of vision and often you will have no symptoms until the condition is advanced. Unfortunately, once sight loss occurs, it can’t be reversed as there are not currently not any treatments to restore the damaged nerve. Treatment to lower eye pressure may start with eye drops and these will need to be used long term or for life. This will not cause any change in your sight but its preventing future damage to sight. Some laser treatments may be offered as your first treatment option. The most common surgery for glaucoma is called a trabeculectomy. This surgery creates a new permanent drainage channel in your eye for the aqueous fluid to drain away, lowering your eye pressure.
- Normal tension Glaucoma: where an eye pressure of less than 21mmHg still causes damage to your optic nerve.
- Primary closed angle Glaucoma: is caused when the angle, where the aqueous fluid drains from the eye, narrows or closes. There are two types, either chronic or acute. Chronic develops slowly, and usually has no symptoms but can be noticed when your eyes are examined. Acute happens suddenly and can cause eye pressure to rise very high very quickly.
Secondary Glaucoma
Secondary Glaucoma occurs because of another eye condition, injury to the eye or due to medication.
Childhood Glaucoma
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- Primary congenital glaucoma occurs when the aqueous drainage system hasn’t developed properly before birth.
- Secondary Glaucoma is caused by another developmental anomaly of the eye, a syndrome or another eye condition.
For further information or to arrange a visit to our support centre please call 01245 933572 or email info@support4sight.org.uk. Or visit the RNIB website www.rnib.org.uk
Glaucoma FAQs
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure within the eye. It can result in vision loss and blindness if left untreated.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma is often linked to high eye pressure caused by fluid build up in the front part of the eye. This pressure damages the optic nerve over time.
What are the types of glaucoma?
- Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): This is the most common form of glaucoma, where the eye’s drainage canals gradually become clogged, leading to increased eye pressure and optic nerve damage over time.
- Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG): NTG is a form of glaucoma where optic nerve damage occurs despite having normal eye pressure (less than 21mmHg), suggesting that factors other than high pressure can contribute to the condition.
- Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma: Occurs when the angle where fluid drains from the eye narrows or closes.
- Secondary Glaucoma: Secondary glaucoma results from an underlying eye condition or injury that increases eye pressure, such as inflammation, trauma, or the use of certain medications.
- Congenital Glaucoma: Congenital glaucoma is a rare form present at birth, caused by developmental issues in the eye’s drainage system, leading to high eye pressure and vision problems early in life.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
Early stages of primary glaucoma typically have no symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are crucial.
As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
- Peripheral vision loss
- Blurred vision
- Halo effects around lights
- Eye pain or redness
Is glaucoma treatable?
Glaucoma can be managed and treated to slow down or prevent further vision loss.
Treatments aim to lower your eye pressure, some options include:
- Eye drops
- Regular eye clinic visits
If glaucoma is diagnosed and treated fairly quickly, you may not experience much change in your vision.
Is there a way to prevent glaucoma?
While glaucoma cannot be prevented entirely, regular eye exams, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and managing underlying health conditions can reduce the risk of developing the condition.
What should I do if I suspect I have glaucoma?
If you experience symptoms like sudden vision changes, eye pain, or notice halos around lights, seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in managing glaucoma and preserving vision.