Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition associated largely with intraocular pressure (IOP). Intraocular pressure is determined by the balance between the production and drainage of the eye’s internal fluid or aqueous humour. High intraocular pressure may damage your optic nerve, leading to progressive permanent vision loss. In most cases glaucoma is not painful and therefore often goes unnoticed until significant vision loss is sustained. Glaucoma is a condition that, without treatment, is likely to worsen over time.
While there are multiple types of glaucoma, the two main types are open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. In the more common, open-angle glaucoma, structures of the eye may appear normal while the fluid of the eye is not draining properly through a natural drain called the trabecular meshwork. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks the trabecular meshwork, causing a more rapid increase in intraocular pressure.
While Glaucoma can affect anyone, some risk factors include older age, a family history of glaucoma, previous trauma to the eye, diabetes, and certain medications. Open angle glaucoma often progresses without symptoms, until the disease is very advanced to produce a constricted visual field and termed tunnel vision. Symptoms of acute-angle closure glaucoma include sudden loss of vision, severe headaches, halo-like rings around lights, eye pain and often redness.
While there are multiple types of glaucoma, the two main types are open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. In the more common, open-angle glaucoma, structures of the eye may appear normal while the fluid of the eye is not draining properly through a natural drain called the trabecular meshwork. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks the trabecular meshwork, causing a more rapid increase in intraocular pressure.
While Glaucoma can affect anyone, some risk factors include older age, a family history of glaucoma, previous trauma to the eye, diabetes, and certain medications. Open angle glaucoma often progresses without symptoms, until the disease is very advanced to produce a constricted visual field and termed tunnel vision. Symptoms of acute-angle closure glaucoma include sudden loss of vision, severe headaches, halo-like rings around lights, eye pain and often redness.
Narrow Angles
Narrow angles are a fairly common condition related to the size and shape of the eye. Within the eye there is fluid, called aqueous humour, continuously circulating within the anterior chamber. This fluid is produced by the ciliary body, enters the anterior chamber, then cycles and drains through the trabecular meshwork, located near the outer part of the iris. The angle refers to the area between the cornea and the iris. If this space becomes narrowed the fluid may not be able to drain adequately through the trabecular meshwork. This can put a person at risk for a very serious vision threatening condition called acute angle closure glaucoma. This condition is an ocular emergency as it can occur very rapidly over minutes to hours and may result in permanent vision damage or loss within as little as 24-48 hours if left untreated.
Some individuals are at higher risk based on their age, gender, race and prescription. Assessment of the angle size with a glaucoma specialist allows early detection of such a condition. Preventative in office laser treatment may be offered for individuals determined to be at high risk for this condition.
Symptoms may include:
Severe eye pain
Decreased vision
Nausea and vomiting
Some individuals are at higher risk based on their age, gender, race and prescription. Assessment of the angle size with a glaucoma specialist allows early detection of such a condition. Preventative in office laser treatment may be offered for individuals determined to be at high risk for this condition.
Symptoms may include:
Severe eye pain
Decreased vision
Nausea and vomiting