is a group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. A major risk factor is increased pressure in the eye.
The disorders can be roughly divided into two main categories:
\"open-angle\" and \"closed-angle\" (or \"angle closure\") glaucoma.
For most people, there are usually few or no symptoms of glaucoma. The first sign of glaucoma is often the loss of peripheral or side vision, which can go unnoticed until late in the disease. This is why glaucoma is often called the "sneak thief of vision."
Occasionally, intraocular pressure can rise to severe levels. In these cases,
• sudden eye pain,
• headache,
• blurred vision, or
• the appearance of halos around lights may occur.
If you have any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:
• Seeing halos around lights
• Vision loss
• Redness in the eye
• Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the eye
• Narrowing of vision (tunnel vision)
Include:
• Eye exam: typically focuses on the optic nerve, which has a particular appearance in glaucoma.
• Tonometry: a procedure to check for eye pressure, and a visual field test, if necessary,
Glaucoma treatment may include:
• Prescription eye drops: These either reduce the formation of fluid in the front of the eye or increase its outflow.
• Laser surgery: Laser surgery for glaucoma slightly increases the outflow of the fluid from the eye in open-angle glaucoma or eliminates fluid blockage in angle-closure glaucoma.
. Microsurgery : In an operation called a trabeculectomy, a new channel is created to drain the fluid, thereby reducing intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma
