The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called intraocular fluid (aqueous humor), made by the ciliary body. The fluid flows out through the pupil into the anterior chamber, and then to drains out of the eye via the trabecular meshwork (a meshwork of drainage canals around the outer edge of the iris). In the case of glaucoma, the eye’s drainage system becomes clogged. As the fluid builds up, it causes pressure to build within the eye. This high pressure damages the optic nerve.

 

                 
 

Eye pressure is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Normal eye pressure ranges from 5-22 mmHg. Eye pressure of greater than 22 mm HG is considered abnormally high. Eye pressure is an important risk factor for developing glaucoma.

• People of African descent are 6-8 times more susceptible to glaucoma than people of Caucasian descent, while people of Asian descent are at higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma.
• Being 40 years of age or older
• Having a family history of glaucoma
• Having high eye pressure
• Having had an eye injury
• Taking steroid medications
• Other risk factors include a high degree of near and far sightedness, thin cornea, diabetes, and migraines.

• Primary open angle glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the trabecular meshwork becomes clogged. As the fluid builds up, it causes pressure to build within the eye. High pressure damages the optic nerve.

 
 

Symptoms: Most patients do not have any symptoms in the early stages of the condition. However, if it is not treated early, gradual loss of sight starting with peripheral vision will occur – before finally resulting in permanent vision loss. In most cases of primary open angle glaucoma, medications can control the condition if it is diagnosed and treated in its early stage.

• Normal-tension glaucoma: Some patients develop glaucoma with eye pressure below 22 mmHg. Important risk factors include:
  • A family history of normal-tension glaucoma
  • Being of Japanese descent
  • Having a personal history of cardiovascular disease, hemodynamic crisis, low blood pressure at night, abnormal blood coagulation, migraines, or immune factors

• Angle-closure glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is less common than primary open angle glaucoma. It occurs when the iris bulges forward to block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. As a result, fluid is unable to circulate through the eye and pressure increases.

 
 
Symptoms: In angle-closure glaucoma, the symptoms vary:

• • Acute angle-closure glaucoma: This is a considered a medical emergency due to the sudden extreme increase in eye pressure. Symptoms include severe headache and eye pain, eye redness, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea and vomiting.

• • Sub-acute angle-closure glaucoma: Symptoms are mild and intermittent. Patients may only have a headache. It is difficult to diagnose this form of glaucoma without an eye screening.
  • Chronic acute angle-closure glaucoma: Patients usually have no symptoms in the early stage of this form of glaucoma, as it develops very slowly.
• Congenital glaucoma: This form of glaucoma is already present in babies and children, as it can be inherited. While it is rare, the symptoms are severe and hard to be controlled. Permanent vision loss occurs if it is not treated in its early stage.
• Secondary glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is caused by an eye disease or underlying medical condition, including an eye injury, eye inflammation, eye tumor, advanced cataract, diabetes, and the use of certain medications such as steroids. Treatments vary, depending on the cause of the high eye pressure.
• Glaucoma suspect: In some cases, patients have an optic nerve or visual field that looks suspicious for glaucoma, requiring regular medical attention.

• Slit-lamp Microscopy Eye Exam
• Eye Pressure Test (Intraocular Pressure)
• Anterior Chamber Angle Exam
• Optic Nerve Exam
• Visual Field Test

As the damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, goal of the treatment is to slow down damage to the optic nerve and maintain vision for as long as possible. Treatment options vary, depending on the type and stage of the condition.

• Medications: The goal of the treatment is to lower the pressure in the eye to the desired level. A number of medications are currently in use to treat glaucoma. These work by improving the fluid drainage from the eye or by decreasing the amount of fluid the eye creates. Patients must apply medications regularly as directed by the doctor, and see the doctor for regular checkups to evaluate and monitor the treatment results, stage of the condition, and any side effects from the medications.
• Laser treatment: The recommended type of laser therapy depends on the type of glaucoma and the stage of the condition.
  • Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is used to treat primary open angle glaucoma when eye drop medications are not effective. SLT is often used in combination with other treatment options.
  • Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) is used to treat angle-closure glaucoma
  • Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALIP) is used in combination with LPI, or when LPI cannot be used.
  • Laser cyclophotocoagulation is used when other treatment options are not effective.
• Conventional Surgery: Conventional surgery is used when the medications or laser therapy are unable to control the glaucoma.
  • Trabeculectomy: The surgeon creates a tiny drainage hole in the white part of the eye so as to lower the eye pressure.
  • Aqueous shunt surgery: If the above surgery does not help, a drainage device is implanted in the eye so as to lower the eye pressure.