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Glaucoma :
Glaucoma is the second most common blinding disease of the eye. It is an eye disease in which the pressure of the fluid in the eye rises to a point that the optic nerve becomes damaged. The pressure that builds up occurs because too much fluid is formed or because the channel in the eye through which the fluid normally drains is blocked. Glaucoma is damaging to sight as the elevated pressure can constrict the blood vessels that nourish the sensitive nerve structures at the back of the eye. The vast majority of cases develop slowly and the patient is normally not aware of the gradual loss of sight until vision is significantly impaired.
Forms of Glaucoma :
1. Simple Chronic or Open-Angle Glaucoma :
This accounts for the majority of glaucoma in most countries. It affects mainly the elderly but can also affect the middle-aged. Relatives of people with glaucoma have a higher risk of having the disease, as there is usually a hereditary factor involved.
Glaucoma progresses slowly and often goes unnoticed for many months or years. Many people are unaware that their eyesight is deteriorating as a person's straight ahead vision and reading vision remains good initially, but there is a gradual loss of night vision and side vision. This condition usually responds well to treatment but in a few cases, surgery is required to clear the blockage in the duct through which the fluid drains.
Narrow Angle or Angle-Closure Glaucoma :
This is the most common type of glaucoma in Singapore, which commonly affects the middle-aged and the elderly, especially women. It involves a sudden, drastic increase of pressure in the eye. If not treated immediately, it can result in permanent damage to the eye in a very short time. Unlike chronic glaucoma, acute glaucoma often has very marked symptoms such as severe pain in the eye, blurred vision, redness, the appearance of haloes around lights and vomiting.
Congenital Glaucoma :
This type of glaucoma is a rare and occurs at birth. Enlargement of the infant's eyes, tearing and unusual sensitivity to light are symptoms that indicate the need for an Ophthalmological examination.
Secondary Glaucoma :
Secondary glaucoma is caused by other conditions such as inflammation of the eye, tumours, eye surgery, injuries or cataracts in their advanced stages.
Treatment
1. Medical Treatment : Eye drops and tablets to control the eye pressure.
2. Surgery : A filtration operation is done to redcuce the eye pressure