What are the symptoms?
Glaucoma often has no symptoms. However angle closure glaucoma can cause:
Who is at risk?
Those most at risk include people who have:
How is it diagnosed?
Early detection and treatment of this condition can prevent or delay vision loss. To help avoid glaucoma, people should have their eyes regularly examined by an eye care professional. Those in high-risk categories should have their eyes examined well before the age of 35.
New technology such as Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT) and Short Wavelength Automated Perimetry (SWAP) can detect glaucoma earlier than the traditional White On White perimetry (WOW).
How is it treated?
Traditionally treatment has consisted of lowering intraocular pressure by the use of eyedrops.
Recently however, new technology called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been developed and can lower eye pressure in some cases with no medication
Glaucoma often has no symptoms. However angle closure glaucoma can cause:
- Severe pain and vision loss
- Blurred vision, or seeing coloured rings around lights
- Nausea and vomiting
Who is at risk?
Those most at risk include people who have:
- A family history of glaucoma
- Diabetes
- An injury to the eye
- Used steroids regularly over a long period of time
- Prior intraocular surgery
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Migraine headaches or Raynaud's
How is it diagnosed?
Early detection and treatment of this condition can prevent or delay vision loss. To help avoid glaucoma, people should have their eyes regularly examined by an eye care professional. Those in high-risk categories should have their eyes examined well before the age of 35.
New technology such as Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT) and Short Wavelength Automated Perimetry (SWAP) can detect glaucoma earlier than the traditional White On White perimetry (WOW).
How is it treated?
Traditionally treatment has consisted of lowering intraocular pressure by the use of eyedrops.
Recently however, new technology called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been developed and can lower eye pressure in some cases with no medication
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition characterised by damage to the optic nerve that initially causes peripheral vision loss but ultimately leads to blindness. The optic nerve develops 'cupping' which means that the cup in the centre of the nerve becomes larger as more nerve fibres die away
The cause of the damage is not well understood. It is known that hereditary plays a large role.
In some cases high pressure within the eye leads to the damage. The most common form is called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Other varieties of glaucoma which are associated with elevated pressure are, Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXF), Pigment Dispersion Glaucoma, following retinal detachment surgery and associated with intraocular inflammation such as uveitiis.
In south east asia, angle closure glaucoma is the dominant form of glaucoma. In angle closure glaucoma there can be sudden, very high elevations of pressure which can result in rapid (24hrs) loss of vision. In this type of glaucoma there is obstruction of fluid draining from the eye by the iris.
Glaucoma is a condition characterised by damage to the optic nerve that initially causes peripheral vision loss but ultimately leads to blindness. The optic nerve develops 'cupping' which means that the cup in the centre of the nerve becomes larger as more nerve fibres die away
The cause of the damage is not well understood. It is known that hereditary plays a large role.
In some cases high pressure within the eye leads to the damage. The most common form is called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Other varieties of glaucoma which are associated with elevated pressure are, Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXF), Pigment Dispersion Glaucoma, following retinal detachment surgery and associated with intraocular inflammation such as uveitiis.
In south east asia, angle closure glaucoma is the dominant form of glaucoma. In angle closure glaucoma there can be sudden, very high elevations of pressure which can result in rapid (24hrs) loss of vision. In this type of glaucoma there is obstruction of fluid draining from the eye by the iris.
Optic nerve cupping
Glaucoma
Pressure inside the eye