Glaucoma

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The signs and symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of glaucoma.

If  glaucoma goes untreated, the condition will eventually cause blindness. Even with treatment, a low percent of people with glaucoma will  become blind in at least one eye within 20 years. Glaucoma tends to run in families. In some people, scientists have identified genes related to high eye pressure and optic nerve damage.

As this nerve gradually deteriorates, blind spots develop in your visual field. 

Elevated eye pressure is due to a buildup of a fluid that flows throughout the inside of your eye. This internal fluid normally drains out through a tissue called the trabecular meshwork at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. When fluid is overproduced or the drainage system doesn't work properly, the fluid can't flow out at its normal rate and eye pressure increases.

If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms,  promptly go to an emergency room or an eye doctor's office.

• Patchy blind spots in your side  or central vision, frequently in both eyes
• Tunnel vision in the advanced stages

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form. The drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris remains open, but the trabecular meshwork is partially blocked. This causes pressure in the eye to gradually increase. This pressure damages the optic nerve. It happens so slowly that you may lose vision before you're even aware of a problem.

• Severe headache
• Eye pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Eye redness

This type of glaucoma occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. As a result, fluid can't circulate through the eye and pressure increases. Some people have narrow drainage angles, putting them at increased risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Angle-closure glaucoma may occur suddenly or gradually . This is a medical emergency. 

In normal-tension glaucoma, your optic nerve becomes damaged even though your eye pressure is within the normal range. A sensitive optic nerve, having less blood being supplied to your optic nerve. This limited blood flow could be caused by the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries — or other conditions that impair circulation.

It's possible for infants and children to have glaucoma. It may be present from birth or develop in the first few years of life. The optic nerve damage may be caused by drainage blockages or an underlying medical condition.

In pigmentary glaucoma, pigment granules from your iris build up in the drainage channels, slowing or blocking fluid exiting your eye. Activities such as jogging sometimes stir up the pigment granules, depositing them on the trabecular meshwork and causing intermittent pressure elevations.

Because chronic forms of glaucoma can destroy vision before any signs or symptoms are apparent, keep in mind of these risk factors:

• Having high internal eye pressure 
• Being over age 60
• Being black, Asian or Hispanic
• Having a family history of glaucoma
• Having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and sickle cell anemia
• Having corneas that are thin in the center
• Being extremely nearsighted or farsighted
• Having had an eye injury or certain types of eye surgery
• Taking corticosteroid medications, especially eyedrops, for a long time

These self-care steps can help you detect glaucoma in its early stages, which is important in preventing vision loss or slowing its progress.

• Get regular dilated eye examinations. 
• Know your family's eye health history. 
• Exercise safely. 
• Take prescribed eyedrops regularly. 
• Wear eye protection.