Church Partnership Newsletter January 2015 | Page 3
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve (a bundle of nerve fibers that transmits images to the
brain) due to the build up of pressure in the eye. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness.
In the very front of the eye (between the iris and the cornea), fluid called aqueous humor, circulates in and out of the
eye through a mesh-like channel. If this channel becomes blocked, the fluid starts to build, resulting in glaucoma.
The onset of glaucoma can be caused by chemical or blunt injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blocked blood vessels,
and other eye surgery. Glaucoma is also inherited, and usually occurs in both eyes.
Types of Glaucoma
Open-angled – the most common form of glaucoma, where eye structures appear to be normal, but the fluid in
the eye is not draining as it should.
Closed-angle – the angle between the iris and cornea is too narrow to allow fluid to circulate in and out of the
eye, causing a sudden build-up of pressure.
Glaucoma can develop at any age, but increases with certain risk factors:
Individuals over age 40
Those of African-American, Irish, Russian, Japanese, Hispanic, Inuit, or
Scandinavian descent
Having diabetes
Family history of glaucoma
Poor vision
Eye Trauma
Taking certain steroid medications, such as prednisone
Symptoms
For some individuals, no symptoms occur. For others, the first sign is the loss of
peripheral vision. Some individuals experience:
Eye pain
Blurred vision
Halos around light
Redness of the eye
Types of treatment include:
Eye drops to either reduce the formation of fluid in the font of the eye, or to increase the outflow of fluid.
Laser surgery to increase the outflow of fluid from the eye by either creating a hole for drainage, or to thicken
the fluid in the middle of the eye, which reduces fluid production.
Microsurgery creates a new channel to drain the fluid out of the eye.
Although glaucoma cannot be prevented, early detection through a comprehensive dilated eye exam performed every 1
– 2 years can delay the progression of the disease. A comprehensive dilated eye exam includes the following:
Visual acuity test – eye chart measures vision at various distances.
Visual field test – measures peripheral vision. A loss of peripheral vision is a sign of glaucoma.
Dilated eye exam – drops are placed in the eye to widen the pupils, allowing the eye care professional to
examine the optic nerve for signs of damage and other problems.
Tonometry – measures inner eye pressure.
Pachymetry – measures the thickness of the cornea.
Resources: https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts, http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/glaucoma-eyes