Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition caused by high pressure inside the eye. The pressure in the eye is raised because fluid (aqueous humor) within the eye cannot get out through the normal drainage system. The increased pressure can cause damage to the nerves of the eye. This can result in loss of vision. It is important to diagnose glaucoma early before damage occurs. Early treatment can often prevent vision loss.
There are two main types of glaucoma:
• Open-angle glaucoma. This is a chronic condition that causes the pressure inside the eye to rise slowly. This is the most common type and often causes no symptoms until later in the disease.
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma. With this type, the pressure inside the eye rises suddenly to a very high level. This causes severe pain and requires treatment right away.
CAUSES
In …show more content…
It is important to have your eyes checked regularly.
TREATMENT
Early treatment is important to prevent vision loss. Treatment focuses on lowering the pressure in the eyes. This usually involves the use of medicines in the form of eye drops. The type of medicine will depend on how bad the disease is and the degree of damage. Laser treatments or other types of surgery may be needed in some cases.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma requires emergency treatment to help prevent vision loss. This treatment may involve eye drops and medicines given in pill form or through an IV tube. Surgery is usually done on both eyes right away.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider. Use your eye drops exactly as instructed. You will likely need to use this medicine for the rest of your life.
• Get regular exercise, but talk with your health care provider about which types of exercise are safe for you. You may need to avoid yoga or other types of exercise that may involve standing on your
Glaucoma is a condition caused by high pressure inside the eye. The pressure in the eye is raised because fluid (aqueous humor) within the eye cannot get out through the normal drainage system. The increased pressure can cause damage to the nerves of the eye. This can result in loss of vision. It is important to diagnose glaucoma early before damage occurs. Early treatment can often prevent vision loss.
There are two main types of glaucoma:
• Open-angle glaucoma. This is a chronic condition that causes the pressure inside the eye to rise slowly. This is the most common type and often causes no symptoms until later in the disease.
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma. With this type, the pressure inside the eye rises suddenly to a very high level. This causes severe pain and requires treatment right away.
CAUSES
In …show more content…
It is important to have your eyes checked regularly.
TREATMENT
Early treatment is important to prevent vision loss. Treatment focuses on lowering the pressure in the eyes. This usually involves the use of medicines in the form of eye drops. The type of medicine will depend on how bad the disease is and the degree of damage. Laser treatments or other types of surgery may be needed in some cases.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma requires emergency treatment to help prevent vision loss. This treatment may involve eye drops and medicines given in pill form or through an IV tube. Surgery is usually done on both eyes right away.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider. Use your eye drops exactly as instructed. You will likely need to use this medicine for the rest of your life.
• Get regular exercise, but talk with your health care provider about which types of exercise are safe for you. You may need to avoid yoga or other types of exercise that may involve standing on your