Question:
I was just told that I have glacoma. I haven't started my research yet and find that people who know can explain it better. Can anyone give me some help? Thanks, Kim
Answer:
Glaucoma is a disease of the nerve to the eye, called the optic nerve. The nerve is like a cable that connects the eyeball to the brain.
Eye doctors can see the end of the nerve as it enters the eye. It looks round like a donut with a hole in it. The doctors will measure how large the diameter of the hole(called the "cup") is compared to the diameter of the whole nerve (called the "disc"). The ratio of the cup to disc (C/D) is one of the measurements to detect and evaluate for glaucoma. Large cupping (C/D), or having larger cupping in one eye compared to the other is a sign of possible glaucoma. In uncontrolled or untreated glaucoma the cupping keeps increasing. This means that the nerve is deteriorating. Normally cupping is not expected to change in our lifetime.
Another thing the doctor needs to check for is the intraocular pressure (IOP). This the pressure of the water INSIDE the eye. This is not from the tears. High IOP is another risk factor for glaucoma.
Another test is the visual field. This is a test of the peripheral vision, looking for abnormal blind spots off center. Most people cannot see even very large blind areas that are in the sides of our vision.
Abnormal blind spots are a sign of nerve diseases such as glaucoma, strokes, brain tumors, etc.. In glaucoma, you typically lose your side vision first and central vision last. You can have severe tunnel vision and still see 20/20 in the middle.
All three of these tests are needed to diagnose glaucoma, and to follow for loss of vision, worsening of nerve damage or poor control of glaucoma.
There are many types of glaucoma, but the most common type has no pain, discomfort, or loss of vision until it is very severe. It requires an complete eye exam to detect, due to the lack of symptoms. Unfortunately most people only go the the doctor when their vision changes.
Most glaucomas have no cure, but can be controlled to prevent vision loss with eye drops, pills, laser treatments and surgery(last resort) that reduce your IOP. Artificial tears will not help. Poor compliance in taking medicines is a major cause of continued progression of glaucoma.
Risk factors for glaucoma are high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, as these reduce blood flow to the eye and nerve. Having a parent or sibling with glaucoma is a risk factor. Eye injuries, even from many years prior, are risk factors.
Glaucoma is called the sneak thief of sight, just like high blood pressure is called the silent killer. Both have no symptoms till its too late.
If you have glaucoma, make sure you take you medicine/drops as prescribed, see you doctor consistently, and control the risk factors that you can control.
