What is glaucoma?

It is a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged, raising eye pressure due to an accumulation of fluid in the front of the eye. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can cause decreased vision and even blindness, so it is important to have regular eye exams to detect the condition and avoid possible damage to the optic nerve.

It is considered a disease that usually appears by genetic inheritance and although it usually affects older adults, it can occur at any age.

Many times, glaucoma does not show any symptoms until it is already very advanced and the damage is serious, so it is important to diagnose it early through periodic ophthalmic check-ups in which eye pressure is measured.

There are several types of glaucoma, the main ones being:

• Open angle: it is the most frequent, since it is painless and does not cause symptoms or vision changes in early stages, it is not usually detected in time. Its development is very slow, but as it progresses, blind spots appear in peripheral vision and other problems, until vision is lost.
• Narrow or closed angle: this is the most serious one, occurring when the iris blocks the eye’s drainage angle and suddenly increasing eye pressure. If this happens, it is crucial to see a specialist urgently so as not to lose sight.
• Normal pressure: damage to the optic nerve occurs despite the fact that the eye pressure is within normal limits. It is due to circulatory problems caused by vascular deficiencies such as atherosclerosis.

Open angle glaucoma:

• Blind spots in peripheral vision.
• When it is very advanced, peripheral vision is lost, becoming frontal or tunnel vision.

Narrow or closed angle glaucoma:

• Intense pain in the eyes and forehead.
• Eye irritation and redness.
• Lights and halos in vision.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Blurred vision.

Potential risks:

• Thin corneas.
• Narrowing of the optic nerve.
• Family members with a history of glaucoma.
• Suffering from myopia or hyperopia.
• Having had eye injuries or surgeries.
• High eye pressure.
• Being over 60 years old.
• Having diabetes, high blood pressure, poor circulation, migraines, or other illnesses.
• Prolonged use of ophthalmic solutions and corticosteroids.

After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will perform a complete eye exam that includes:

• A tonometry to check your eye pressure.
• A gonioscopy to check the drainage angle of the eye.
• A pachymetry to measure the thickness of the cornea.
• Use imaging studies to assess damage to the optic nerve.
• A visual field test to identify the degree of peripheral vision loss.

Glaucoma is an irreversible disease, but it can be treated with medication and laser or conventional surgery. However, you should consider that some medications that you must take for life may have the following side effects: 

• Changes in the color of the eyes, in the surrounding skin, and in the shape of the eyelids.
• Changes in heart rate and breathing.
• Itching and redness.
• Dry mouth.
• Blurred vision.

In Saludora Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

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