Glaucoma is a group of eye illnesses that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve, which conveys visual data from the eye to the brain, is necessary for clear vision. High eye pressure is commonly connected with optic nerve injury. Glaucoma can, however, occur with normal eye pressure.
While glaucoma can affect anyone, older adults are more prone to get it. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in those over 60. Many kinds of glaucoma have no symptoms at all. Because the effect is so gradual, you may notice a change in vision once the condition has progressed; you should immediately see Best Eye Clinic in Dubai.
Risk Factors
Glaucoma can cause vision damage before any symptoms appear, so consult Eye Specialist beforehand. Consider the following risk factors:
Age
The most significant risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma is age. The ocular pressure may steadily rise as the drainage system deteriorates with age.
Intraocular pressure (also known as eye pressure)
The only other significant risk factor that may be controlled is increased ocular pressure. All types of glaucoma are treated by decreasing eye pressure with medications, laser surgery, or both. Although eye pressure is a significant risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma, a variant of the disease called “normal-tension glaucoma” or “low-tension glaucoma” does not involve elevated eye pressure. Lowering ocular pressure, on the other hand, prevents glaucoma from worsening in people with normal or low pressures.
Racial and ethnicity
Additional risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma include race and ethnicity. Glaucoma is more common among people of African and Hispanic origin. There is yet no obvious explanation for this increased risk.
Is glaucoma inherited?
Glaucoma is often an inherited (genetic) disorder handed down through families; if you have a direct family with glaucoma, your risk of acquiring glaucoma increases by a factor of ten.
First-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) are more likely than others to get glaucoma. If the person already has severe glaucoma, the risk nearly doubles. Understanding your family’s history is critical.
Early diagnosis by an optometrist is critical for identifying glaucoma and initiating treatment on time, especially if the condition runs in your family.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma can develop without a known cause, but several factors can influence it. The most important of these variables is intraocular eye pressure. They are fed by aqueous humour, which is produced by your eyes. This fluid can enter your eye through your pupil. In a healthy eye, fluid drains through the drainage canals between the iris and cornea.
What Happens When You Have Glaucoma?
Angle-closure glaucoma symptoms
Angle-closure glaucoma patients often have no symptoms before an incident. Early indicators of an assault include haloing, impaired vision, slight headaches, and eye pain. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Normal tension glaucoma symptoms
Even though their eye pressure is normal, those with “normal tension glaucoma” have blind spots in their vision and damage to their optic nerve.
Open-angle glaucoma symptoms
No recognisable symptoms or warning signs exist in the early stages of open-angle glaucoma. As the condition progresses, blind spots emerge in your peripheral (side) vision.
Most people with open-angle glaucoma do not detect changes in their vision until the damage is severe. As a result, glaucoma is dubbed the “silent thief of sight.” Regular eye exams may help your ophthalmologist detect this illness before vision loss occurs. Ophthalmology Clinic can advise you on how frequently you should undergo eye exams.
Wrapping Up
Patients with glaucoma have optic nerve damage due to fluid buildup in their eyes. If not addressed, this eye pressure might permanently impair vision. Glaucoma is the world’s second leading cause of blindness. Surgery, eyedrops, laser therapy, and other treatments can halt vision loss and save sight.
Finally, several well-established risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma have been found. However, the only way to diagnose glaucoma is through a complete eye exam performed in Ophthalmology in Dubai. Glaucoma damage is irreversible; it cannot be restored. However, surgery and medicines can help avoid further injury.