WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma causes include elevated eye pressure (called intraocular pressure or IOP) due to the eye’s inability to drain fluid efficiently. If the drainage angle of the eye is blocked, excess fluid cannot flow out of the eye thus causing the fluid pressure within the eye to increase.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF GLAUCOMA?
There are two main types of glaucoma, open-angle and closed-angle (angle-closure) glaucoma.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common and is caused when there is a restriction in the natural outflow of fluid from the eye. Causes include, amongst others, ageing, a family history of glaucoma, anatomical abnormalities and metabolic stresses of the optic nerve.
Angle-closure glaucoma is a rare form of the disease. In angle-closure glaucoma the iris bows forward, narrowing the angle that drains the eye and thus increasing the pressure within the eye. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs mainly as a result of certain medicines, far-sightedness or an abnormality in the drainage angle of the eye. It can even occur naturally when the eye dilates in low light. Angle-closure glaucoma can lead to a medical emergency if it is left untreated and fluid is unable to drain from the eye.
There are many different sub-types of glaucoma.
Normal-tension glaucoma (also NTG, low tension glaucoma, normal pressure glaucoma) is a condition where the optic nerve is damaged although intraocular pressure (IOP) is within normal range. This can occur as a result of reduced blood-flow to the optic nerve, cell death in nerve-cells and metabolic damage to the optic nerve.
Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma occurs as a result of an accumulation of microscopic granular protein fibers, which can block the normal drainage of fluid from the eye.
Pigmentary glaucoma occurs when pigment is dislodged from the iris and clogs the drainage structures.
Angle recession glaucoma occurs when scar tissue from blunt trauma obstructs the outflow of fluid.
Congenital glaucoma is often inherited and arises from the abnormal development of the eye’s drainage angle before birth.
Neovascular glaucoma is caused by various disorders that cause blood vessels to proliferate on the iris and in the eye’s drainage structures.
WHAT RISK FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GLAUCOMA?
Although glaucoma is most common in adults over the age of 40, the risk is not determined by age alone. Studies have shown individuals at greater risk for glaucoma may fit one or more of the following criteria:
It is thus important for individuals in the general population to have regular eye screening at least every two years after the age of 40.
HOW DO YOU TREAT GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma treatment aims to decrease intraocular pressure by controlling fluid production and drainage from the eye and thus preventing damage to the optic nerve. Initial therapy will generally include the prescription of single eye drops or an eye drop containing a combination of medicines. This is the mainstay of glaucoma therapy. In severe cases surgery may be recommended.
(Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to provide general information and not to substitute any medical diagnosis or advice received from a qualified healthcare professional.)
References:
The Merck Manual. Overview of Glaucoma. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/glaucoma/overview-of-glaucoma. (Last accessed 14 June 2016).
