Glaucoma

What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Glaucoma (Eye Pressure) is a disease that usually does not cause complaints at the beginning. It progresses slowly over the years and destroys the optic nerve. Vision gradually decreases, and when complaints begin, permanent damage to the visual field is already established. In the "acute glaucoma crisis" type, eye pressure suddenly rises very high. Symptoms include redness of the eye, pain, blurred vision, coloured rings around lights, nausea and vomiting. In such patients, the diagnosis can be made at an earlier stage.

What is Normal Intraocular Pressure?

Today, intraocular pressure is accepted as a personal value. Normal intraocular pressure in healthy eyes is between 9-20 mmHg. In addition to patients with low eye pressure who have glaucoma-related damage, there are also patients with high eye pressure who do not develop any damage. Therefore, the limit of eye pressure varies according to the individual and risk factors.

How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

Eye pressure is usually diagnosed incidentally during an eye examination.
During the examination, the doctor measures eye pressure and examines the optic nerves.
In suspected patients, further examinations such as pachymetry, visual field, OCT or HRT are requested.
He makes the diagnosis by evaluating all the findings.

How is Glaucoma Treatment?

The aim of treatment is to preserve the patient's vision for life. Glaucoma treatment is of 3 types: medication, laser treatment and surgical treatment.

Treatment is usually started with medication, laser or surgical treatment is applied if the damage continues.

The type of treatment depends on the patient's condition. Early or late diagnosis, the age of the patient and whether the patient is taking the medication properly are important factors in the choice of treatment.

The treatment cannot restore vision, but only prevents further vision loss.

SLT Laser (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) is an alternative treatment option for glaucoma. It offers a supportive solution when treatment is not sufficient in patients using medication. It can only be applied to open angle glaucoma. SLT, which is very effective in correctly selected patients, is a simple 3-4 minute treatment method and has no side effects and harm. It can reduce eye pressure by 20-30%. The effectiveness of the treatment, which can be applied every 6 months, continues between 6 months and 2 years.

What Happens If Glaucoma Is Not Treated?

High eye pressure causes damage by pressing on the layer of nerve fibres at the back of the eye. This damage gradually increases over the years. The visual field of the patient gradually narrows, during this period the patient complains that he/she cannot see. If left untreated, the result is blindness.
 

TREATMENT CAN ONLY PRESERVE VISION AT THAT MOMENT. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RETURN GOOD VISION. THEREFORE EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

What Should Glaucoma Patients Pay Attention To?

• Drops should be instilled as prescribed by the doctor and at the same time every day.
• If there are complaints such as bleeding and burning due to the drug, the drug should not be discontinued, the doctor should be consulted.
• If it is necessary to use more than one drop for treatment, there should be 5 minutes between two drops.
• Follow-up examinations must be performed at the intervals specified by the doctor.
• Systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma should be treated. It is recommended to follow general health rules such as exercise, regular sleep and not smoking.
• Patients with a family history of glaucoma, hypertension and diabetes should undergo an eye examination once a year.
• Some medicines you use may cause an increase in eye pressure. For this reason, take the medicines you use to your ophthalmologist.
• When you visit a doctor other than an ophthalmologist, state that you have glaucoma and show the drops you are using.

Who is a Candidate for Glaucoma Disease?

• Those with a family history of glaucoma
• Those with HYPERTENSION
• Those with diabetes
• Myopic Patients
• Over 40 years old
• Smokers
• Those receiving long-term cortisone treatment should be careful in terms of glaucoma.

The contents of the site created for informational purposes are prepared to raise awareness. It is recommended that you consult a specialist physician for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.

Prepared by the Editorial Board of Göz Vakfı Hastaneleri.