TREATMENT FOR GLAUCOMA
TREATMENT
FOR GLAUCOMA
Home >Ophthalmological treatments > Treatment for Glaucoma
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is one of the main causes of sight loss. It affects 1% to 2% of the population over the age of 40, and 10% over the age of 70.
It’s called “the silent thief of sight” because people with most forms of glaucoma show no symptoms until the optic nerve is severely damaged.
If diagnosed early, the disease can be controlled and permanent vision loss avoided.
Glaucoma is a disease that occurs when the normal pressure inside the eyes
(intraocular pressure) increases because the fluid inside the eye can’t get drained away.
Over time, this accumulation of fluid damages the optic nerve, a sort of cable that connects the two optic nerves
which sends visual signals from your eyes to your brain.
In most cases, glaucoma is asymptomatic (presenting no symptoms). When
the person notices a decrease in vision, the disease is often in its
very advanced stages. Given that the signs of glaucoma are rare, it is important,
particularly for people at risk, to have regular screening examinations every year
or every two years with an ophthalmologist specialist.
- Age over 40.
- Family members with of glaucoma or high intraocular pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Severe myopia and severe hyperopia.
- Use of corticosteroids.
- History of eye injury.
- Certain ethnic origins.
Treatments for Glaucoma
The aim of glaucoma treatments are not to cure the disease, but only to preserve the existing optic nerve fibers, thereby preserving eyesight and quality of life.
Different types of treatment are possible:
- Eye drops help lower intraocular pressure, and are effective in 85% of cases.
- Laser treatments.
- Surgery as a last resort.
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