Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain. Glaucoma is usually, but not always, the result of abnormally high pressure inside the eye.
Over time, this intraocular pressure will damage the tissues of the optic nerve, which can lead to loss of visual acuity or even blindness. If diagnosed early enough, these consequences can be avoided with the right Glaucoma Treatment in Honolulu.
Symptoms
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. It does not produce any symptoms, except for the gradual deterioration of the person’s vision. For this reason, it is essential to have your eyes examined by a specialist once a year as any change in vision will be quickly detected by a specialist.
Closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency. The following symptoms should be monitored:
* Heavy pain in the eyes
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Redness in the eyes
* Sudden sight disturbances
* Perception of colored rings around lights
* A sudden blurring of sight
Causes
The back of the eye secretes a translucent fluid called aqueous humor. This fills the front part of the eye. It then leaves the eye through the cornea and the iris.
If the passageways of the cornea and iris are blocked or damaged, the intraocular pressure may increase. This increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause complete loss of vision (blindness). The reasons why intraocular pressure increases by itself are still unknown, but doctors agree that specific factors play a role:
* Using dilating eye drops
* Blocking or restricting the drainage system of the eye
* Some drugs like corticosteroids
* Poor blood circulation in the optic nerve
* High blood pressure
Surgical treatment
If the cause of the increase in intraocular pressure is a blocked canal, Glaucoma Treatment in Honolulu through surgery may be required to create drainage pathways for the fluids or to destroy the tissues responsible for the obstruction. The treatment of closed-angle glaucoma is different. This type of glaucoma requires immediate treatment to reduce intraocular pressure as quickly as possible.
A treatment called “peripheral iridotomy” can be used; this method consists of making perforations in the iris, thus, creating passageways for the fluids of the interior of the eye. The blindness caused by glaucoma is, unfortunately, definitive. Contact Hawaii Vision Clinic for more information.
