What defines glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Why is it called glaucoma?
The word “glaucoma” is from Ancient Greek glaukos, which means “shimmering.” In English, the word was used as early as 1587 but did not become commonly used until after 1850, when the development of the ophthalmoscope allowed people to see the optic nerve damage.
Does having glaucoma mean you will go blind?
Glaucoma is a serious, lifelong eye disease that can lead to vision loss if not controlled. But for most people, glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. That is because glaucoma is controllable with modern treatment, and there are many choices to help keep glaucoma from further damaging your eyes.
What is the treatment for early glaucoma?
The treatment options for early glaucoma have expanded in recent years and fall into three categories: medications, laser, and incisional surgery. Medications or laser are both considered first-line treatments. It is not imperative that you start with medications and then proceed to laser treatment.
Does glaucoma change eye shape?
As the fluid builds up, it causes pressure to build inside the eye, which can damage these sensitive nerve fibers and result in vision loss. As the fibers are damaged and lost, the optic disc begins to hollow and develops a cupped shape.
How does glaucoma make you feel?
You may not feel glaucoma. Most types of glaucoma have no telltale signs except for slow vision loss including distorted and blurred vision. Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma include eye pain, nausea, and sudden loss of vision (this type should be considered an emergency).
Can Lasik cause glaucoma?
While it’s rare to develop glaucoma as a result of LASIK, the steroid eye drops you are given following an operation to reduce inflammation may increase eye pressure and thus your chances of developing a reversible increase in pressure while you are on the medication.