Glaucoma accounts for 13.5% of blindness worldwide. It is an Optic Neuropathy Disease that can first cause peripheral vision loss and then total vision loss. With this disease, Optic Nerve (Visual Nerve) fibers are gradually lost. If diagnosed early, vision loss can be prevented by stopping its progression.
What causes glaucoma?
Despite medical research in this field, there is no clear information yet on what causes glaucoma.
Glaucoma. Who is it seen in?
It is usually seen in people with high intraocular pressure. However, high intraocular pressure alone does not cause glaucoma. Sometimes glaucoma does not occur despite high intraocular pressure. We call this condition 'Ocular Hypertension'. On the contrary, glaucoma can sometimes occur in people with low intraocular pressure. We call this situation 'Normotensive Glaucoma'.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
People with high eye pressure
Middle and Advanced Age (frequency after 40 years of age higher (2%)
People with thin corneal layer (below 500 microns)
Myopic people
Presence of glaucoma disease in Mother, Father, Sibling
It is more common in black people than in white people
Arterioclerosis (may reduce optic nerve blood flow)
Circulatory Disorders (Hypertension, Hypotension, Vasospasm)
Diabetes
Long-term and unconscious use of Cortisone Drugs
Autoimmune diseases, Vasculitis, Thyroid diseases…
What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?
>Glaucoma is an insidious disease that usually does not cause symptoms. It very rarely causes symptoms. Generally, symptoms such as pain in the head and around the eyes, light sensitivity, impairment in near vision, and difficulty in dark adaptation can be observed. Only when the disease progresses, visual field losses begin to be noticed by the person.
The symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma are very prominent. This type of glaucoma has severe symptoms such as severe headache and pain around the eyes, seeing halos around objects, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting and decreased vision.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Glaucoma It is diagnosed by measuring eye pressure and fundus examination during a routine eye examination. It can be killed. Corneal Pachymetry, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and Computerized Visual Field examinations are the gold standards to confirm the diagnosis and follow the course of the disease.
Is it enough to just measure my eye pressure to understand whether I have glaucoma?
Measuring eye pressure alone is not sufficient to diagnose glaucoma. In addition, examinations such as optic nerve head examination, pachymetry, oct, computerized visual field examinations are also needed.
How is glaucoma treated?
Glaucoma is a chronic disease. In other words, it requires lifelong follow-up and treatment. There is generally a treatment approach aimed at reducing intraocular pressure. This happens either with medications (medical treatment) or with interventional methods (Laser, Cryo and Surgical tdv). Its progression is usually stopped by controlling it with medications (eye drops). When medications are inadequate, interventional methods are used. However, when the diagnosis is made, if the disease is at an advanced stage, direct surgery can also be planned.
I have glaucoma, how should I drip my drops?
In glaucoma, we must carefully drip the drops prescribed by our doctor on time. With one hand, we can open our lower eyelid wide and easily drop our drops into the pocket formed in this way. If the drop does not reach our eyes completely, we should try again.
Should I put the drops while going to my doctor for a check-up?
Definitely yes. We should definitely apply our drops regularly when going to the doctor's check-up. Otherwise, your doctor may think that the medicine is not effective. This is a mistake frequently made by patients. It must be instilled at regular intervals.
The drops cause sensitivity in my eyes, what should I do?
Sometimes eye drops can cause symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, watering and stinging in the eye. In this case, you should definitely inform your doctor about this situation. Allergy may develop over time to some glaucoma medications. Your doctor may change your medications in such a case.
Are vitamins and food supplements used in treatment?
Although it is not certain, it is believed that Antioxidant Vitamins, Citicoline and Magnesium have such an effect. Research in this direction continues . These can be used in addition to antiglaucomatous treatment.
Do sports, avoid stress as much as possible, have routine medical check-ups...
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