Glaucoma — rather dangerous and, unfortunately, a common eye disease, which, if not properly treated, can lead to complete loss of vision. However, before this happens, the disease will manifest itself with various symptoms that you should definitely pay attention to. What are the typical symptoms of glaucoma? Who is most at risk of this disease, and what are its causes? Is there an effective prevention of this disease and what to do if the disease has already affected the eyes? Together with estet-portal.com we offer to find answers to these important questions.
Glaucoma: what is hidden under this term
Probably all of us have to hear about such a diagnosis from time to time. First of all, let's figure out what exactly is hidden under the diagnosis of "glaucoma". It should be noted that the ophthalmologist will make such a diagnosis even then, & nbsp; when a patient, as a result of a constant or intermittent increase in intraocular pressure, has visual field defects and visual acuity decreases. Often in such cases, complete blindness can occur. The term "glaucoma" unites a vast group of diseases, the causes of which can be very different. However, in any case, the lack of effective treatment causes atrophy of the optic nerve and threatens with loss of vision.
The causes of glaucoma: what happens
Why can glaucoma develop? Healthy eyes are characterized by a balance between the inflow and outflow of fluid, which ensures stable intraocular pressure in the range from 18 to 22 mm Hg. Art. If this balance is disturbed, the fluid, accumulating, contributes to an increase in pressure. The increased load on the optic nerve and some other structures impairs the blood supply to the eye. As a result, atrophy of the optic nerve, which transmits visual information to the brain, may occur. That is why with the development of this disease, first of all, peripheral vision decreases. However, progressing, glaucoma inevitably leads to blindness.
At present, there are no unambiguous causes that cause the development of glaucoma. We can only talk about risk groups that are more threatened by this disease.
Among the risk factors for the most common primary open-angle glaucoma are:
· age above 60 years of age, which increases the risk of developing the disease by about 6 times;
· heredity also increases the likelihood of glaucoma;
· taking certain medications (steroid drugs);
· arterial hypertension.
The closed-angle form of this disease, in which there is a sharp and dangerous increase in eye pressure, is more susceptible to:
· farsighted persons;
· elderly people;
· women.
In addition, in some cases, the ophthalmologist indicates in the diagnosis secondary glaucoma, which develops most often:
· as a result of an eye injury;
· against the background of certain diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus);
· due to certain medications;
· for fair-skinned women.
Characteristic symptoms indicating the development of glaucoma
Glaucoma is a dangerous disease that leads to irreversible changes and loss of vision. Often, vision decreases gradually, while the person does not experience much discomfort. It is the absence of symptoms of glaucoma in the onset of the disease is often the reason for late seeking help from a specialist, when time is irretrievably lost. In this case, the disease can be detected during an examination by an ophthalmologist, which is carried out using special equipment.
However, this is not always the case. Among the most characteristic symptoms of glaucoma:
· blurred vision;
· halos around the light source;
· headaches localized in the temples and just above the eyebrow line;
· nausea;
· general deterioration of well-being.
How is glaucoma diagnosed
There is no doubt that it is the early detection of the disease that significantly increases the chances of success in treatment. Glaucoma is no exception in this sense. This is primarily a measurement of intraocular pressure — tonometry. An ophthalmologist examines the amplitude of daily fluctuations in intraocular pressure using contact or non-contact tonometers. In addition, the absolute value of IOP peaks is assessed, since the tendency to exceed the normal values of this indicator also indicates the development of glaucoma.
If the patient notices a deterioration in vision, which may be one of the symptoms of glaucoma, you should immediately consult a doctor. In the process of diagnosis, the ophthalmologist evaluates the boundaries of the visual fields. This indicator is necessary not only for diagnosing a disease, but also for assessing the effectiveness of treatment.
In addition, the doctor conducts a biomicroscopic examination of the anterior segment of the eye, which allows to detect characteristic pathological changes. To assess the shape of the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye, the doctor performs gonioscopy.
Modern ophthalmological clinics have the widest range of equipment, the use of which allows for effective diagnosis at the earliest stages.
Modern methods of treatment and prevention of glaucoma
There are many different methods for the treatment of various forms of glaucoma, but it usually begins with the use of special drops that help reduce intraocular pressure, which helps prevent the development of irreversible changes in the optic nerve. Of course, such treatment can only be effective if the doctor's instructions are strictly followed.
In recent decades, laser techniques have gained wide popularity to reduce IOP. These methods are non-traumatic and painless, but, unfortunately, their action is not very long and effective. Surgical and microsurgical methods of treatment are more effective, as a result of which an artificial drain for the fluid occurs, which prevents a repeated increase in intraocular pressure.
Modern ophthalmology considers regular examination by a specialist to be the main and most reliable method of prevention. For persons under 65 years of age, a visit to the doctor is recommended to be repeated after 3 years, if the previous examination did not reveal any pathologies and there are no symptoms of glaucoma. Do not forget that only our attention to our own health will help to avoid the development of many dangerous diseases.
For more interesting information on the detection and prevention of diseases, read on the website estet-porta.com.
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