Glaucoma Causes

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent or slow vision loss.

Symptoms of glaucoma include blurred vision, a change in your field of view, and trouble seeing things up close. It may also include pain, headaches, and nausea.

Primary Open-angle Glaucoma

When the fluid inside your eyes does not drain properly, it can damage the optic nerve. This can lead to permanent vision loss if it is not treated.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It is a progressive disease that causes gradual loss of peripheral vision, and eventually central vision if left untreated.

Diagnosis is based on clinical examination in conjunction with findings from tests and imaging studies. The Van Herick test and gonioscopy are essential for diagnosis, as they provide an assessment of the anterior chamber depth and reveal an iridocorneal distance (ICD) that is greater than 25% of corneal thickness.

Treatment of open-angle glaucoma depends on the type of glaucoma and is individualized based on risk factors, clinical findings, and patient history and exam results. It is important to initiate treatment as early as possible and to continue monitoring the patient and adjusting the therapy if needed.

Secondary Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve. Primary glaucomas are usually treated in the early stages with antiglaucoma eyedrops and/or systemic medications. Secondary glaucomas, however, are rarer and may develop when a patient has an underlying medical condition that causes the pressure to increase in the eyes.

This includes inflammation, fragile new blood vessels in the eye or birth defects, ocular trauma, and tumors. These conditions can cause a blockage in the flow of aqueous humor from the frontal region of the eye through the trabecular meshwork or uveoscleral outflow.

Traumatic glaucoma is the most common type of secondary glaucoma. This can occur due to a blow to the eye or a penetrating injury that damages the structure of the eye or the iridocorneal angle (the ring around the iris). Blunt trauma is most common in people below 30 years of age, although it can happen at any age.

Congenital Glaucoma

Congenital glaucoma is a rare condition that can lead to loss of vision. It can occur in infants and children. It is a form of primary open-angle glaucoma, but it can be treated.

It causes cloudy or hazy vision, light sensitivity, and an enlarged eye. It also affects the optic nerve, causing damage to the eye.

The sclera (outer wall of the eye) in children is much softer and more elastic than in adults, and this makes the child more susceptible to pressure building up within the eye.

The result is a stretched, enlarged eye called “buphthalmos.” The classic signs of this condition include tearing (epiphora), photophobia, and blepharospasm. The cornea may also be cloudy or exhibit breaks in the corneal endothelium known as Haab’s striae.

Glaucoma in Children

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. It is most common in adults, but it can also occur in children.

Pediatric glaucoma is a rare condition that affects about one in every 10,000 children at birth or in their childhood. Symptoms can include light sensitivity, eyes that look bigger than normal, and corneas that are cloudy or hazy. Browse next article

Often, parents are the first to notice the signs and symptoms of glaucoma in their child. They may notice their child is sensitive to light, is tearing excessively, or refuses to open their eyes.

Diagnosing glaucoma in children requires a comprehensive assessment of the eye including a detailed exam of the cornea, iris, and optic nerve. Using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) instrument, the doctor can determine if there is damage to the optic nerve and help pinpoint a treatment regimen for your child. Check this