Glaucoma develops slowly and gradually, but without timely treatment leads to irreversible blindness.

For a sighted person who receives more than 90% of all information about the surrounding world through vision, this becomes a great personal tragedy.

Volodymyr Melnyk,

a top category ophthalmologist, ophthalmic surgeon, candidate of medical sciences, medical director of the VISIOBUD clinic

, told what causes contribute to its occurrence and whether it is possible to save vision

.

Symptoms of glaucoma

Our eyes constantly produce intraocular fluid, or aqueous humor, which nourishes the lens and cornea.

Due to the balance of uniform inflow and outflow of intraocular fluid in a healthy eye, a certain level of intraocular pressure (IOP) is constantly maintained.

When there is an imbalance of such circulation, intraocular pressure rises, nerve fibers are compressed, and eye cells die.

Glaucoma is a chronic ophthalmic disease in which there is an excess of aqueous humor and eye pressure begins to rise.

The optic nerve and other structures of the eye are subjected to an increased load, the blood supply to the eye is disturbed.

As a result, the optic nerve dies, and the connection between the nerve tissue of the eye, which sends visual information to the brain, is destroyed.

First, a person's general visual acuity deteriorates, and then the field of vision narrows, that is, lateral vision deteriorates, which indicates the second stage of the disease.

At the third stage, the vision becomes tunnel vision - the normal wide field of vision and lateral vision disappear.

At the fourth, final stage, the central vision also disappears.

A person loses the ability to recognize subjects and objects.

Such changes lead to irreversible violations.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) increases due to an imbalance between the production and outflow of eye fluid.

And due to strong pressure on the optic nerve, neuronal processes gradually die off, which leads to its complete atrophy and reduced vision.

Depending on the type of glaucoma and the stage of its development, in addition to

the deterioration of lateral vision, which is considered the most important symptom

, the following may be observed:

  • persistent pronounced headache;

  • pronounced pain in the eyes;

  • rapid eye fatigue;

  • blurred vision, often within a few minutes after sleep;

  • redness of the eyes;

  • the appearance of iridescent circles when looking at bright objects and lighting devices;

  • weakening twilight vision.

As a rule, glaucoma develops in both eyes, but not at the same time, at a different pace.

Causes of glaucoma

Glaucoma can be congenital or acquired.

The development of congenital glaucoma is influenced by:

  • genetic abnormalities;

  • transmission by a pregnant woman of certain diseases such as measles or rubella;

  • birth injuries;

  • avitaminosis;

  • prematurity of the child;

  • developmental defects of the embryo, etc.

If one of the parents or relatives of the first line (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle) has congenital glaucoma, the risk of developing the pathology in the child increases. 

The development of acquired glaucoma is influenced by:

  • heredity;

  • age-related changes in eye structures after 60 years for light-skinned people, after 40 years for dark-skinned people; 

  • increased intraocular pressure associated, for example, with hypertension (sustained increase in blood pressure) or excessive physical exertion;

  • progressive cataract;

  • myopia, farsightedness;

  • displacement of the lens;

  • injuries, tumors, infectious eye diseases;

  • surgical interventions on the eyes;

  • diabetes, diseases of the thyroid gland and nervous system;

  • impaired blood supply to the eyes;

  • long-term use of corticosteroids (hormones of the cortical layer of the adrenal gland).

Prevention and treatment of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic disease that develops slowly and is practically asymptomatic.

Because of this, patients usually turn to the doctor already with a significant loss of vision.

Glaucoma cannot be cured, nor can lost vision be restored.

It is only possible to stop the progression of the disease at the stage when the patient turned to an ophthalmologist.

How?

With the help of drug therapy, which in the initial stages of the development of glaucoma involves the use of anti-glaucoma drops.

Drops improve the outflow of intraocular fluid, or suppress its production.

However, they are able to restrain the development of glaucoma temporarily - from a month to a year, postponing laser treatment or surgery.

Because only with the help of these treatment methods it is possible to effectively and for a long time lower the intraocular pressure and restore the circulation of the intraocular fluid.

The choice of treatment method depends on the patient's age, type, form and stage of glaucoma development.

And it is determined individually during a face-to-face consultation.

Patients who take care of their vision often ask me if it is possible to prevent the development of this disease?

The best prevention in such a case is a timely visit to an ophthalmologist, since glaucoma is the main cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

The quality of his vision and life in the future depends on the stage of glaucoma development at which the patient consults a doctor.

Therefore, I traditionally recommend not to engage in self-medication, which is harmful to health, and to check your eyesight at least once a year.

Especially if you have health problems that contribute to the occurrence of glaucoma, or at least slightly worsened lateral vision.

Volodymyr Melnyk, medical director of the VISIOBUD clinic

Take care of your vision and be healthy!

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