Glaucoma is a serious condition of the eye that if left untreated can lead to loss of fibres in the optic nerve. Once the optic nerve has been damaged in this way then peripheral vision can be affected severely. If there is no treatment at all then the central vision of the eye can become affected too. Eventually it can lead to partial or complete blindness. There is treatment available for this illness however. A very successful treatment that can stop it in its tracks. Unfortunately any sight that has been lost due to glaucoma cannot be restored, however it can be prevented from getting any worse. Laser eye treatment has helped millions of people keep their sight by preventing any more damage occurring to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is caused by the build of pressure in the eye. It develops over considerable time but can eventually start to cause blurred vision or double vision. Even loss of sight is common. If you know that you or someone in your family has glaucoma then you should seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. There are two types of glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma is the most common type that develops and it is because the drainage canals in the eyes become blocked. This prevents fluid in the eye circulating and flowing as it needs to and this leads to a build up of pressure.
There is also a condition called closed angle glaucoma although this is rarer. This occurs because there is not enough space between the iris and the cornea which is where the fluid in the eye needs to flow. This can lead to more serious symptoms including pain, blurriness, nausea and red eyes. Symptoms of this type of glaucoma can come on very quickly due to a severe amount of eye pressure. This is most common in people over 70 and is more common in longsighted people who generally have smaller eyes and more chance of blockages.
It may be possible to prevent glaucoma from getting any worse with a course of eye drops. That is why it is so important that you consult with an eye doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes the eye drops do not go help sufficiently however, and when this happens it may be necessary to undergo surgery. During the surgery the blockage will be cleared so that the fluid can flow freely. The surgery is performed under anesthetic which means it is impossible for the patient to feel anything. There is only a short period of recovery too.
Laser eye surgery for glaucoma can be carried out without the patient needing to stay overnight in hospital. After the procedure there may be some time when the patient needs to rest so the anesthetic can wear off but otherwise they can go home. For a few days it is important the eyes are rested which means no reading, watching television or using bright lights around the house. The eyes need to be kept clean too so they stay free from infection. There may be one or two check ups required over the coming weeks and months so the consulting surgeon can check that the eyes are recovering exactly as they should be.
If you suspect you may have glaucoma or someone in your family does then you should book an appointment with an eye surgeon as soon as possible. They can carry out an assessment and describe the most appropriate course of action to take. There are different glaucoma treatment plans available including a course of eye drops and laser eye surgery. The eye doctor or surgeon will be able to tell you what the best action is for you to take.