What is Glaucoma?
Your eye needs a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball in shape so that it works properly. This pressure is maintained by the continual flow of fluid inside the eyeball. A watery fluid called “aqueous” is produced inside the eye and flows through the eye. It leaves through tiny drainage channels called the trabecular meshwork, where it re-enters the blood stream.
Normally, the amount of fluid produced is balanced by the amount of fluid draining out. However, if it cannot drain properly, or if too much is produced, then your eye pressure will rise.
This high pressure can damage the optic nerve to varying degrees and is called Glaucoma.
If the optometrist finds that the combination of your test results suggests you have or may have glaucoma, they will usually refer you to a hospital eye consultant (ophthalmologist) who can then diagnose your glaucoma and start any treatment you may need. This is usually in the form of eye drops or laser treatment (SLT).
Two main types of Glaucoma:
1. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) also known as chronic glaucoma, is the most common type of glaucoma, whereby the drainage channels slowly become blocked over many years. The eye pressure rises very slowly and there is no pain, but the optic nerve becomes damaged. This initially causes a gradual loss of peripheral vision.
2. Acute angle closure glaucoma is much less common. There is a sudden and complete blockage of the aqueous flow, preventing it draining from the eye. It can cause severe pain, blurring, redness of the eye, nausea and cause permanent damage to your sight. It is treated as an ocular emergency, usually requiring eye drops and surgery.