Glaucoma

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are caused by the inner eye pressure. It damages the optic nerve and may result in a loss of vision and complete blindness. Glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness and is more common in adults, but it may happen to any person. The symptoms of glaucoma are not noticeable for the patient at an early stage of development, and it will be revealed quite late. The impaired eyesight caused by glaucoma cannot be recovered, and that is why it is important to monitor the inner eye pressure regularly. In case of early detection of the disease, the vision can be maintained.

Glaucoma may be of several types: 

• Open-angle glaucoma
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Secondary glaucoma with medical shunt
• Normal tension glaucoma
• Congenital glaucoma
• Pigmentary glaucoma
• Exfoliative glaucoma
• Traumatic glaucoma

You might have glaucoma, if:

In case of angle-closure glaucoma

• The spots in the peripheral or central area of vision impairs your vision (often in both eyes)
• You have the so-called tunnel vision

In case of open-angle glaucoma

• Severe headache
• Eye pain
• Nausea
• Blurred sight
• Redness of the eye
• It should be noted that the symptoms of glaucoma depends on the type of glaucoma and its development stage.

Treatment measures

As glaucoma may be of different types, the treatment depends on the exact diagnosis of glaucoma type. Glaucoma is a chronic disease in most cases and all of its types are characterized by an optic nerve damage caused by increase of pressure inside the eye. All types of glaucoma are cured at the National Center for Ophthalmology at New Hospitals.

What causes glaucoma?

Glaucoma is caused by optic nerve damage. The condition of the nerve gradually deteriorates and the spots appear in the area of eyesight. The nerve damage is mainly related to the high pressure of the eye. It is known that glaucoma is a genetic disease and inheritable.

Who may be affected by glaucoma?

There are several factors that contribute to the development of glaucoma:

• Intraocular pressure (tension of the eye)
• Age 60+
• Genetics - health condition of ancestries
• diabetes
• Heart diseases
• Eye diseases such as myopia (near-sightedness)
• Eye injury / eye trauma
• Taking of corticosteroids, particularly of eye drops, for a long-time

Prevention of glaucoma

Prevention of glaucoma is quite difficult, but early diagnosis and slowing down of the progress is possible.

• Consult your doctor regularly - a systematic ophthalmologic surveillance is required
• Pay attention to genetics – find out whether you ancestors have or had glaucoma
• Train safely - regular and moderate exercise can reduce tension of the eye and thus prevent glaucoma
• Follow a doctor’s advice - regularly use eye drops prescribed by a doctor
• Protect your eyes - wear eye protective tools when you are engaged by any kind of work, equipment or sports

Treatment of glaucoma at the National Center for Ophthalmology

The National Center for Ophthalmology has a great experience in the treatment of glaucoma. The experienced ophthalmologists provide the treatment process with the equipment equipped with the latest technologies. Visualized computerized testing, optical nerve visualization, blood circulation testing and other specialized examination of the patients are performed through high-technology diagnostic equipment.

With the help of modern techniques of Carl Zeiss available at New Hospitals, glaucoma can be diagnosed at the early stages, a few years ahead, before any visible symptom are detected. By an early diagnostics, it is possible to choose the optimal method of treatment and to eliminate the causes of the potential blindness of the patient.

Innovative devices, such as Alcon glaucoma mini shunts are also available at New Hospitals. This device improves the quality of the traditional trabeculectomy procedure, reduces intraocular (inside the eye) pressure and reduces the risk of post-operation complications.