Glaucoma
(Vision Loss)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Glaucoma
The first thing an eye doctor will want to check is the eye's internal pressure. An air-puff tonometer can measure this without touching the eye. The doctor will also look into the eye through the transparent pupil with an ophthalmoscope. This is essential because normal tension glaucoma is missed by the eye pressure test.
Early damage from glaucoma can be detected with a visual field test. You'll be asked to spot flashing lights around the rim of your field of vision. A computer is often used to perform this test.
Treating and Preventing Glaucoma
Medications are available that can reduce eye pressure and prevent damage. Most are given as eye drops. Beta-blockers (e.g., betaxolol*, levobunolol, timolol), alpha2-agonists (e.g., brimonidine), and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide, brinzolamide) slow the production of eye fluid (aqueous humour), while prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost, travoprost, bimatoprost) and miotics (medications that contract the pupil, such as pilocarpine) improve drainage. Medications have to be used indefinitely, so many people with glaucoma end up opting for surgery or laser treatment.
The most common operation is laser trabeculoplasty, a painless 15-minute outpatient procedure. The laser is unfocused and harmless when it passes through the surface of the eye, but it concentrates its energy on the trabecular meshwork, shrinking it and reopening the holes. Many patients are able to stop using their glaucoma medications after this operation. There are other surgical procedures available if this doesn't work.
With early treatment, vision loss can be minimized or prevented. Because glaucoma isn't obvious, it's vital to get your eyes checked regularly, especially if you have any of these risk factors:
- family history of glaucoma
- African descent
- myopia (nearsightedness)
- previous eye injury or surgery
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- long-term use of prednisone, cortisone, or other steroids
If you are between the ages of 40 and 64 years and have no glaucoma risk factors, you should have your eyes checked every 2 years. From the age of 65 years onwards, you should have them checked every year. But if you have any of these risk factors, you should go as often as your eye care professional recommends.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Glaucoma
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