Until ten-fifteen years ago, glaucoma was known as eye pressure. When the intraocular pressure was higher than normal values, a diagnosis of "glaucoma" was made and treatment was started. Today, glaucoma is considered a disease that occurs when the balance between intraocular pressure and body blood pressure is disrupted, resulting in irregular blood supply to the eye. In some people, general body blood pressure is at low levels. In this case, even if the intraocular pressure is normal, blood flow in the eye will remain weak and glaucoma treatment is required as if it were high. This is called normal pressure glaucoma. These patients have cold hands and feet in summer and winter and migraine attacks are also observed. Sometimes intraocular pressure may be above normal values, but it does not require treatment. This is due to the thicker cornea and slightly higher pressure values are due to this. Therefore, corneal thickness should also be measured in patients and intraocular pressure should be evaluated accordingly. In general, the intraocular pressure of glaucoma patients, which is normally 10-20 mm Hg, is above 25-30 mm Hg and requires treatment.
“There are two types of glaucoma: The most common It is the type that is seen insidiously and does not cause any symptoms without causing damage to the eyes. The other one causes symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, and the appearance of colored rings around lights at night. In this second type, intraocular pressure can rise to very high values of 45-55 mm Hg and a glaucoma crisis occurs. A glaucoma crisis requires urgent treatment. This treatment is drug therapy and intraocular pressure is reduced to normal values, and it requires laser or surgery. Waiting could be dangerous for the patient.
If the first type of glaucoma, which has an insidious course, has not yet given any symptoms, it is noticed by chance in patients who have an eye examination for another reason and treatment is started. When glaucoma damages the eye, the retina containing the visual nerve fibers of the eye is affected, and blind areas are formed in the visual field due to the damage of nerve cells. Optic nerve damage also leads to decreased vision. These damages are measured with special tests at regular intervals. This has importance in the monitoring and treatment of glaucoma. In patients with this type of insidious glaucoma, treatment begins with medication. Today, there are various drug groups involved in treatment. These drugs� The selection is made by the physician according to the general condition of the patient and the effectiveness of the glaucoma treatment. Sometimes one or more groups of drugs are used together. The patient's compliance with treatment is of great importance. In cases where drug treatment does not yield effective results, laser or surgery is performed. Today, selective laser application (SLT Laser Application) has a place in the treatment of glaucoma. This is a glaucoma specific laser and can be repeated. Laser treatment reduces the number of medications used by the patient and increases their effectiveness. If the goal is not achieved with medication and laser treatment, surgery is necessary. Sometimes a second or even third surgery may be required. Surgery sometimes comes before laser. The doctor decides this. Lifelong follow-up of patients with glaucoma is essential at regular intervals. There is no reversal from glaucoma damage. With treatment, glaucoma is tried to be kept at the stage at which it is detected.
Glaucoma can also be congenital. In this case, blood relatives play a big role. The eyes of babies with glaucoma are larger, watering occurs, and the baby is very disturbed by lights. The transparent layer has partially or completely lost its transparency. It cannot be determined whether the baby can see or not, and if so, the degree of vision. The only treatment method is urgent surgery, and continuous medication may be required after surgery.
Glaucoma may also occur in adults due to an eye disease or another disease. In these patients, in addition to the treatment of glaucoma, the treatment of the causative disease is also important. Some medications used by the patient may also cause glaucoma.
In the treatment of glaucoma, the patient's compliance and cooperation with the physician are of great importance. The need for lifelong follow-up of patients with glaucoma should not be ignored. For patients who pay attention to this, glaucoma is not a scary disease and does not cause bad consequences.”
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