Glaucoma - what is it? Symptoms and signs of glaucoma. Treatment, operation

Glaucoma does not imply any one eye disease, it is a term for several diseases that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is an outgrowth that delivers visual information to the brain. Usually (but not always) glaucoma is the result of an abnormally high pressure inside the eye. If the disease of glaucoma is detected on time, there is every chance of preventing a loss of vision. Over time, increased blood pressure can affect the optic nerve, leading to a partial loss of vision or even blindness.

Glaucoma. What is it?

In most cases, glaucoma is associated with higher than normal intraoral pressure. This condition is called ocular hypertension. But this can happen even when the intraocular pressure is in the normal state. In the absence of controlled treatment, glaucoma first causes a loss of peripheral vision, and then leads to irreversible consequences.

Causes

The disease promotes the constant accumulation of clear eye fluid. It fills the front of the eye, then passes through the canal to the cornea and iris. If these channels are blocked or the duct is partially obstructed, the natural pressure may increase. Glaucoma occurs due to increased intraocular pressure. After this, the optic nerve is damaged, and if the disease enters the progressing stage, then vision may begin to deteriorate.

What factors influence the onset of the disease?

What exactly prevents the passage of fluid and causes pressure, is not known, but doctors believe that one or more of the following factors can play a role:

- eye drops, dilating the pupils when instilled;

- Blocking of the eye by drainage;

- Some drugs, for example, such as corticosteroids;

- Reduction of blood flow to the optic nerve;

- high blood pressure.

Types of glaucoma according to the principle of origin

Primary glaucoma is characterized by pathogenic processes occurring in the CCP, drainage system of the eye or in the optic nerve and preceding the onset of the disease, which do not have an independent definition. They represent the initial stages of the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

The result of some disease-predecessor may be glaucoma. What does it mean? The fact that the emergence of an illness is possible after eye trauma, a tumor or long-term therapy with certain drugs. This kind of disease is called secondary glaucoma.

The main types of glaucoma

1. Open-angle (chronic).

This type of disease has no signs or symptoms except gradual loss of vision. And it can be so slow that the vision will be irreparably damaged before any other signs become apparent. This is one of the most common types of glaucoma. If the intraocular pressure remains stably high, then tunnel vision occurs , in which only objects that are directly in the field before the eyes can be seen. In the absence of quality treatment, vision can be lost.

2. Closed-angle glaucoma.

If the flow of moisture suddenly blocks, the rapid accumulation of fluid can lead to a severe, rapid and painful increase in pressure. The onset of symptoms of this species is an emergency; In this case, you should immediately contact your doctor. Symptoms include: severe pain, nausea, blurred vision.

Closed-angle glaucoma is characterized by sudden signs, such as pain in the eyes, headache, a halo around the light sources, dilated pupils, loss of vision, redness of the eyes. Emergency medical aid is necessary for the reason that the attack of the disease can be accompanied by several jerks, for example, the first one can last several hours, then again return for the next "round". It can last and continuous. If you do not try to defeat the ailment, then each attack can cause an increasing loss of vision.

3. Congenital glaucoma.

An innate disease is characterized by a defect in the corner of the eye that slows or stops normal drainage of moisture. This type of disease is most often inherited. Symptoms include: dull pupils, tearing, sensitivity to light.

4. Secondary glaucoma.

This kind can arise as a side effect of trauma or diseases such as cataracts, eye swelling. Less common secondary glaucoma occurs after taking medications-corticosteroids and surgeries.

5. Pigmentary glaucoma.

This is a very rare form, which can be caused by a clogging of the drainage system of the eye. Characterized by the washing out of the pigment from the iris and its redistribution into the anterior wall of the eye.

Diagnosis of glaucoma

The eye disease is determined by a common eye test, which includes the following:

1. Visual test of visual acuity. The chart measures how well you see at different distances.

2. Measurement of peripheral (lateral) vision. The loss of peripheral vision is determined by an ophthalmologist as eye glaucoma, its symptoms.

3. Dilatation procedure. In the eye, special drops are added to dilate the pupils. After that, the ophthalmologist examines the retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After this test, the vision may remain blurred for several hours (when trying to view the subject close-up).

4. Measurement of intraocular pressure to detect abnormalities. Sometimes eye drops may be used in this procedure.

5. Measure the thickness of the cornea. This procedure is called pachymetry. The ophthalmologist uses special drops to numb the eye, and then uses an ultrasonic wave to obtain the desired corneal parameters.

Treatment of glaucoma

Unfortunately, the vision lost due to the disease can not be restored to 100%. It is for this reason that early diagnosis and prevention is so important. Methods of treatment: drug, laser trabeculoplasty, a routine operation or a combination of the above methods. These procedures are not a panacea for the complete restoration of vision, but are able to maintain the level that exists at the time of treatment.

Methods of treatment

Medicines. Preparations in the form of eye drops or tablets are the most common methods at the beginning of the treatment period. Taking regularly prescribed medications, eye drops from glaucoma, you can significantly reduce eye pressure. The effect of this method of treatment is to reduce the release of moisture and help drain out the eye fluid.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to inform the doctor about taking other medications or supplements if you are taking them, as some combinations of different medications are unacceptable.

Prescribed droplets from glaucoma or tablets should be taken regularly, only in this case you can get a positive effect, despite the fact that there may be side effects. For example, drops can cause burning and redness of the eyes, even if this has not happened to you before. However, the occurrence of side effects should be reported to the ophthalmologist, since a sudden transition from one drug to another drug is sometimes impossible. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the doctor can change the dose or type of treatment.

As mentioned above, glaucoma is often asymptomatic, and some people may succumb to the temptation and stop taking or forget to take the medicine at the appointed time. Regularity is very important, treatment should be carried out until the eye pressure comes back to normal.

Laser trabeculoplasty. This method of treatment is prescribed to improve the outflow of the eye fluid. The doctor may suggest that you take this step at any time in combination with taking medications.

Laser trabeculoplasty is performed in the office of the ophthalmological clinic, before the operation, drops are applied to numb the eye. Using a special lens, the doctor passes an intense beam of light through the lens. At a time when a beam of light reflects on the retina inside the eye, you can see flashes of green or red light. The laser procedure performs several evenly spaced burns, which help drain the fluid.

Like any surgery, laser surgery can cause side effects, for example inflammation, so the doctor will probably give you eye drops from glaucoma to relieve pain or intraocular inflammation. In the next few visits, the ophthalmologist will conduct an examination to monitor eye pressure and the general condition of the eye.

Treatment of each eye is carried out in turn in those cases when glaucoma spread to both eyes. What does this give the patient? Laser procedures for each eye are carried out on different days, with a period of several days to several weeks, so the effectiveness of treatment increases.

Studies suggest that laser surgery is a good method for treatment, however, even after surgery, in some patients vision may deteriorate. In this case, the doctor will be assigned another treatment.

Surgery. This method helps to make additional holes for the outflow of moisture. Usually such operations are resorted to after medical treatment and treatment by laser surgery, if glaucoma has not been eliminated. Reviews about this method of treatment are diverse, but the operation helps to achieve the desired effect of the majority of patients.

Surgery is called trabeculectomy and is performed on an outpatient basis. After the administration of the sedative, the doctor performs small injections around the eye for numbness. After this, a small patch of skin is removed and a new channel is created for the flow of fluid from the anterior part of the eye into the subconjunctival space.

Within a few weeks after surgery, eye drops from glaucoma are used to fight infection and inflammation.

Successful outcome of the operation and reduction of intraocular pressure are observed in 60-80% of patients. If the drainage of the eye narrows over time, then a second operation may be required. Surgical intervention gives a greater effect if there was a primary glaucoma and before that there were no operations on the eye, for example, to remove cataracts.

Sometimes after a surgical operation, vision may worsen compared to what it was before surgery. Among the side effects observed: the occurrence of cataracts, corneal problems, inflammation, intraocular infections or too low pressure. This information should be reported to the doctor so that he develops a treatment plan.

Prevention of glaucoma

The best way to prevent glaucoma - an annual examination with an ophthalmologist. Simple tests performed during procedures are able to detect beginning eye defects.

Is it possible to reduce the risk of disease? UK researchers found that intensive physical training provides a long-term reduction in perfusion eye pressure (ORP), which is one of the risk factors that precede the onset of glaucoma. ORP is a mathematical value that is calculated by measuring intraocular and blood pressure.

Simple tests performed during procedures are able to detect eye defects before glaucoma occurs. What does this mean for health? The best way to prevent glaucoma - an annual examination with an ophthalmologist.

Is there a relationship between physical activity and the onset of the disease?

The results showed that participants in the study, who had moderate exercise for a long period, were 25% less likely to have a low ORP.

"It seems that OPP is largely characterized by the state of the cardiovascular system," says the author of the study, Paul J. Foster, a member of the University College of the London Institute of Ophthalmology. "We can not comment on the reasons, but, of course, there is a connection between a sedentary lifestyle and factors that increase the risk of glaucoma."

Dr. Foster concluded that maintaining an active lifestyle is an effective way for people who want to reduce the risk of not only glaucoma, but also a host of other health problems. These procedures are useful even if a person has congenital glaucoma.

In addition to regular exercise and an active lifestyle, you can also reduce the risk of an illness if you follow simple recommendations: do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, absorb only a variety and healthy food.