Providing You with Sight-Saving Glaucoma Treatments

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve. If it is not detected and managed early enough, this disease can lead to irreversible vision loss and potential blindness. Unfortunately, most forms of glaucoma develop with no pain or symptoms, making comprehensive eye exams an essential tool for protecting your eyes from this disease.

What Causes Glaucoma?

It is not entirely clear what causes glaucoma, but there are many theories. One theory is that increased IOP puts pressure on the optic nerve, while another suggests an inadequate blood supply to the optic nerve is to blame. However, each type of glaucoma is associated with its own potential causes.Some factors can increase your chances of developing glaucoma as well:

  • Age. Those over 60 are at risk for glaucoma, with that risk slightly increasing every year.
  • Family history. Genetics plays a role in glaucoma. If you have an immediate family member with glaucoma, you are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
  • Medical conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may increase your risk of developing glaucoma.
  • Eye Injuries. Blunt trauma, like a blow to the face, can cause immediate increased eye pressure. Internal damage from blunt trauma can also raise IOP in the future. An eye injury can also dislocate the eye’s lens, closing the drainage angle.
  • Eye Features. Some eye anatomy features, such as a thin cornea or optic nerve sensitivity, may indicate a risk for glaucoma. Retinal detachment and eye tumors can also trigger glaucoma. Some studies suggest that high nearsightedness may also be a risk factor for glaucoma.

Corticosteroid use. Long-term corticosteroid use (including cortisone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone) may put some people at risk of developing secondary glaucoma.

Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It results in slow and painless progressive damage to the optic nerve. Many people with this type of glaucoma may not realize they have it until they start noticing problems with their vision. At this point, however, damage is already extensive.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is generally believed to be caused by problems with the eye’s drainage system, causing fluid to build up and elevate IOP. However, it is also thought that open-angle glaucoma is related to poor blood flow to the optic nerve.

Angle-Closure/Narrow-Angle Glaucoma

Angle-closure/narrow-angle glaucoma is less common than open-angle. It can develop slowly (chronic) or come on suddenly (acute) and occurs more frequently in Asian ethnicities. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Angle-closure/narrow-angle occurs when the eye’s drainage angle between the cornea and the iris becomes blocked or closes. Many who develop angle-closure glaucoma have narrow drainage angles, which continue to narrow as they age. This narrowing blocks the drainage system, causing fluid to build up and increase IOP. Angle-closure/narrow angle glaucoma is less common than open-angle. It can develop slowly (chronic) or come on suddenly (acute).

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the eye’s drainage angle between the cornea and the iris becomes blocked or closes. Many who develop angle-closure glaucoma have narrow drainage angles, which continue to narrow as they age. This narrowing blocks the drainage system, causing fluid to build up and increase IOP.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Normal-tension or low-tension glaucoma occurs even when IOP remains within the normal range. This type of glaucoma still causes optic nerve damage, although the exact reason is unknown. Those who develop normal-tension glaucoma may have a naturally sensitive optic nerve or reduced blood supply to the area caused by a hardening of the arteries.