Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is damaging to sight because the raised pressure can injure the delicate nerve fibers contained in the retina and the optic nerve at the back of the eyeball.

Symptoms

Depending on the type of glaucoma, various symptoms may be experienced. There is gradual loss of peripheral (ie side) vision and night vision. Central reading vision is usually affected only at late stages. Eye pain, redness, headache, nausea and vomiting can occur in certain types of glaucoma. Blurred vision and coloured rings around lights accompany these symptoms. You are advised to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

How to investigate for follow up can be done for glaucoma?

There are three main tests that may be carried out to check or monitor the progression of  glaucoma:

• Ophthalmoscopy - checking the appearance of the optic disc (where the optic nerve joins the eye) using an ophthalmoscope, a special torch for looking into the eyes.
• Visual field assessment - testing the field of vision using small points of light to check for blind spots.
• Tonometry - measuring the pressure within the eye, either using an instrument that emits a small puff of air onto the surface of the eye, or placing a probe against the eye after it has been numbed with anesthetic drops.

The vast majority of cases develop slowly, and the patient is normally not aware of the gradual loss of sight until very late in the disease when vision is seriously affected.

Treatment

The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the greater the chances of success in preventing visual loss. Although glaucoma cannot be cured but controllable. Long time medication, regular follow up and few surgical procedures are included for glaucoma treatment.