Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye condition that can cause silent, progressive vision loss. It occurs more often in those over the age of 60 years. The optic nerve, which connects the back of the eye to the brain, gradually becomes damaged resulting in reduced peripheral and sometimes central vision.

You may be at risk of glaucoma if you have high pressure in the eye, short-sightedness (myopia), are taking certain medications or have a family member with glaucoma. Any person over the age of 40 years with a close relative suffering from glaucoma should have an eye check every two years.

The eye continually produces a watery fluid (aqueous) which protects the eye and drains out around the edge of the coloured iris. (This is different to the tear production and drainage system which is on the outside of the eye). The drainage apparatus may slowly reduce its ability to drain, even though it looks open (open angle glaucoma), or the edge of the iris can cause it to block up (angle closure glaucoma). The pressure inside the eye builds up, and damage may occur to the optic nerve.

Drops are most commonly used to treat glaucoma, which work by lowering the internal eye pressure. Laser treatment can be used for both open angle and angle closure glaucoma, and sometimes drainage surgery is necessary. Glaucoma and cataracts may occur together in the same person, and sometimes cataract surgery can be helpful in controlling glaucoma.