Glaucoma (also known as glaucoma) is a disease that is often seen in people over the age of 40, progresses insidiously over the years and damages the optic nerve, which is necessary for vision. Regular eye examination is very important for early detection of damage to the optic nerve.
Why Does Glaucoma Occur?
The intraocular fluid is secreted within the eye and is necessary for the nutrition of the eye. Pressure inside the eye increases due to the fluid not being able to drain. Rising intraocular pressure also damages the optic nerve cells. Once vision loss occurs, there is no chance of recovery. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is very important. A careful eye examination is essential for early diagnosis. In the glaucoma unit affiliated with our hospital, early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma is carried out with the help of systems equipped with the latest technology. Early damage to the optic nerves is detected and treatment is started.
In Whom Is Glaucoma More Common?
- Intraocular pressure People with higher than normal levels have a higher risk of developing glaucoma; However, it does not mean that everyone with high intraocular pressure may have glaucoma.
- Having a family history of glaucoma (genetic predisposition)
- The risk of glaucoma increases in people over the age of 35.
- Diabetes.
- The risk of developing glaucoma is higher in patients with hypothyroidism (goiter).
- Serious eye injuries cause increased intraocular pressure. may occur.
- Previous eye surgeries.
- Other risk factors; retinal detachment, eye tumors and eye inflammations such as chronic uveitis or iritis.
- The frequency of glaucoma is approximately doubled in myopia, generally known as short-sightedness.
- In patients with high levels of hyperopia. >
- Long-term use of cortisone (as drops, oral or skin ointment, etc.) may lead to the development of secondary glaucoma.
- Migraine.
- Racial factors. .
It is important for people with these features to have regular eye examinations for early detection of damage to the optic nerve.
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Glaucoma is a disease that can be diagnosed with a routine eye examination. If you suspect glaucoma, your doctor will ask you for more detailed tests. Measuring eye pressure alone is not sufficient to diagnose glaucoma. Since it is a disease that does not have any characteristic symptoms, it is very important to diagnose it early. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the more visual nerve fiber and visual cell damage will be avoided. Glaucoma is diagnosed by the following methods.
- Eye Pressure Measurement (Tonometer)
- Visual Field Examination
- OCT and RNFL measurements
- PACHYMETRY
- Evaluation of the anterior chamber angle by gonioscopic examination, and after all examinations of the patient are performed, the target intraocular pressure is determined. This pressure is a value that will not increase nerve damage in the eye. In all other checks, it is checked whether the intraocular pressure drops to this value with the medications given. Therefore, there is no standard intraocular pressure value. There is intraocular pressure specific to the individual.
What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma progresses for many years without any obvious discomfort. That's why it's important. It is usually detected during routine examination. For this reason, we recommend our patients to be examined at an average age of 40.
- Headaches that become more pronounced in the morning
- Blurry vision from time to time,
- Seeing luminous rings around lights at night,
- Pain around the eyes while watching television
- We encounter the above-mentioned complaints less frequently.
GLAUCOMA TREATMENT
There are three main ways to treat glaucoma.
- Medication Treatment
- Laser Treatment
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a simple and highly effective laser treatment that reduces intraocular pressure due to glaucoma. It is used in patients with eye pressure that does not decrease to the desired value with medical treatment. The treatment, which can be applied by an ophthalmologist in an examination environment, can be completed in a short time of approximately 5 minutes.
- Surgical Treatment
Congenital Glaucoma (Glaucoma in Babies)
Eat One of the important diseases seen in newborn babies is congenital glaucoma. Although this disease does not cause any symptoms at first, it is noteworthy that as it progresses, the baby's eyes become larger. There are also symptoms such as not being able to look at the light and watering. If left untreated, in the later stages of the disease, the transparent layer of the eye becomes cloudy and gradually becomes whiter over time. In this case, the baby will gradually lose its vision. When the disease is diagnosed in the early stages, eye pressure will decrease and vision loss will be prevented with surgery. However, in babies with congenital glaucoma, eye pressure may rise again after a while after surgery and repeat surgery may be required. Glaucoma seen in babies is a more persistent type of glaucoma than glaucoma seen in adults, and sometimes several surgeries may be required.
In adults: Surgical treatment is considered in cases where damage to the optic nerves increases despite medical treatment. Standard glaucoma surgery is Trabeculectomy.
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