Keep an eye out for glaucoma
GLAUCOMA is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.
The most common type of glaucoma, primary open- angle glaucoma, has no noticeable signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss. It happens when channels are partially blocked, causing fluid to drain out of the eye too slowly and building up pressure within the eye, damaging the optic nerve.
Acute angle- closure glaucoma develops rapidly and symptoms are often severe, including intense pain and redness of the eye, headaches and seeing halos or “rainbow- like” rings around lights. It occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and the iris, blocking fluid from exiting the eye and increasing pressure abruptly.
Secondary glaucoma is caused by other conditions or eye injury such as uveitis ( inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) but can be easily confused for symptoms of other conditions.
Normal- tension glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve despite eye pressure remaining within normal range. This may be due to a sensitive optic nerve or lack of blood being supplied to your optic nerve, though its true cause is not well understood.
Children sometimes display symptoms of developmental glaucoma such as large eyes, high sensitivity to light, cloudy appearance to their eyes and watery eyes, among others.
It is caused by angle blockages or malformation or develops as a result of other conditions such as secondary glaucoma.
Do not wait for noticeable eye problems before seeking a doctor. Regular eye examinations are the key to detecting and treating glaucoma early.
It is recommended that all adults have a comprehensive eye check at 40 years old and every three to five years after that if you do not have any glaucoma risk factors.
If you have other risk factors or you are older than 60 years old, you should be screened every one to two years.
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower pressure in your eye ( intraocular pressure). To treat your condition, doctors may lower your eye pressure, improve drainage of fluid in your eye or lower the amount of fluid produced in your eye by using eyedrops, oral medications or surgery.
For more information, call 03- 4022 6222 ( KL) or 03- 7804 4051 ( PJ).