What is Glaucoma? Ayurvedic Treatment for Glaucoma: Symptoms and Types.
Glaucoma, or increased intraocular tension, is a medical condition that damages the optic nerves. Glaucoma refers to a grouping of eye conditions which can damage the optic nerve. Damage is caused by intraocular (eye) pressure. Glaucoma can affect anyone at any age, but is most common in people older than 60.
Glaucoma is a disease that can be difficult to detect and worsens with age. Regular eye examinations and pressure testing are recommended to maintain the health of your vision.
Glaucoma: Risk Factors
Age over 60
Glaucoma can run in families
Presenting thin corneas
Eye injuries
High intraocular Pressure
Particular eye surgeries
Ethnicities like Asian, Black, Hispanic, etc.
Myopia and Hyperopia
Use of corticosteroids for a prolonged period is not recommended
Various medical conditions such as Diabetes, Sickle Cell Anemia and Cardiovascular Disease.
Glaucoma, if left untreated for too long, can cause blindness or vision loss. Early diagnosis is therefore vital.
Glaucoma symptoms include: The symptoms of glaucoma vary according to the type and stage.
People may not experience any symptoms but still:
Blurred Vision
Distorted Vision
Vision Loss
Early warning signs:
Seeing Halos Around Lights
Vision Loss
Eye Redness
Cornea Whitening/Haziness
Eye Pain
Patchy blind spots inside or central vision
Tunnel Vision
Severe Headaches
Open-Angle Glaucoma symptoms:
Intense Pain
Nausea
Blurred vision
It is an emergency that occurs suddenly.
Angle - Closure Glaucoma:
Severe Headache
Eye Pain
Nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal disorders
Blurred vision
Halos Around Lights
Eye Redness
Glaucoma Causes: Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged by high intraocular pressure. Aqueous humor (eye fluid), which is usually a liquid, flows out of the eyes. This mesh-like channel can become blocked if it becomes blocked or if there is too much fluid in the eye. Glaucoma can be genetically passed from generation to generation, even though the cause is unknown. Other lesser-known causes of Glaucoma are:
Blunt Injury To The Eye
Eye Injury by Chemical Agent
Blockage of Blood Vessels
Severe eye infection
Prior Eye Surgery
Glaucoma Types: Open-Angle Glaucoma and Angle-Closure are the two main types. There are eight additional types of Glaucoma. Most of them are variations on Open-Angle or Angle-Closure. These variations may affect both eyes. Glaucoma can be classified into the following types:
1) Open-Angle Glaucoma
It is the most common type of Glaucoma that affects patients for the rest of their lives. The optic nerve is damaged when the drainage canal of the eye becomes blocked. Over 90% of Glaucoma cases are caused by this condition.
2) Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-Closure Glaucoma (also known as Narrow Angle Glaucoma) is the second-most common form of Glaucoma. This type causes increased pressure within the eye due to fluid drainage. The angle between the iris, and retina is closed in many areas. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma requires immediate medical care.
3) Normal Tension Glaucoma
When the optic nerve is injured, even when pressure is not too high on the eye, it is called Low-Tension Glaucoma. Normal Tension Glaucoma's cause is unknown.
Secondary Glaucoma
Secondary Glaucoma is a condition where the cause of an increase in eye pressure that leads to damage to the optic nerve can be identified, such as eye injury, inflammation, or drug use.
Secondary Glaucoma includes:
The optic nerve is damaged by a pigmentary glaucoma, which occurs when tiny pigment particles on the backside of the iris are released into the eye fluid (aqueous humor).
This type of glaucoma is common in infants. Congenital Glaucoma is caused by incorrect or incomplete development before birth of the eye drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure and damage to the optic nerve.
Exfoliative Glaucoma - When the outer layer of a lens peels off, and the flakes collect in the angle of the cornea to iris, they block the drainage system, increasing the pressure of the eye. Open-Angle Glaucoma causes more pressure fluctuations and high peak pressures.
Neovascular Glaucoma (NG): This type of Glaucoma is caused by abnormal formation of blood vessels in the Iris, which block the drainage of the eye. The pressure increases on the eye as well as the Optic Nerve.
Uvetic Glaucoma (Glaucoma of the eye): This type is caused by an inflammation in the area around the iris, or by a steroid that was used to treat it. The inflammation causes a disruption in the drainage of fluids, resulting in increased pressure within the eye.
Traumatic Glaucoma - When the drainage canal of the eye is blocked, the pressure increases on the eye and damages the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is a disease that can be difficult to detect and worsens with age. Regular eye examinations and pressure testing are recommended to maintain the health of your vision.
Mild Glaucoma: What is it?
Mild or early stage glaucoma is defined as optic nerve abnormalities that are consistent with glaucoma, but there are no abnormalities in the visual field on any white on white visual field test or on automated short-wavelength perimetry.
What can happen if you are undiagnosed with Glaucoma Glaucoma that is not diagnosed can lead to blindness. You must make regular doctor's appointments.
What is the treatment for glaucoma? Glaucoma can cause blindness. It is a serious condition. It is more common among those over 60 years old, but it can happen at any age. Glaucoma is a disease that can be difficult to detect and worsens with age. Regular eye examinations and pressure testing are recommended to maintain the health of your vision.
