Glaucoma

Prepared by the

Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye in which the optic nerve is slowly destroyed. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. Most of the time the damage occurs because the pressure of fluid within the eye gradually increases and damages the sensitive optic nerve within the eye. The high pressure destroys the nerve slowly, over many years.


What causes glaucoma?

There are different types of glaucoma. In the most common type, for reasons we do not yet understand, the fluid inside the eye does not drain properly. Some people with poor blood circulation in the back of the eye may have special sensitivity to damage from the pressure. Other less common types of glaucoma may occur when the lens inside the eye swells or when chronic inflammation blocks the normal pathways for fluid circulation in the eye.


Who gets glaucoma?

Glaucoma usually occurs in people over age 30, but it is possible to get it at a younger age, even to be born with it. It is usually in both eyes. If your parents have glaucoma then it is more likely you will have glaucoma. People with diabetes and high blood pressure are more likely to get glaucoma. People who have had a severe injury to their eye may get glaucoma in that eye years after the injury.


How do you know if you have glaucoma?

This is a difficult problem, because there are usually no symptoms of glaucoma until it is very advanced. The most common type of glaucoma does not cause pain. The peripheral (side) vision decreases first and this loss may not be noticed until it is very far advanced. Finally the eye becomes completely blind. The only way to be sure if you have glaucoma is to be examined by an eye doctor. The doctor will test the pressure inside the eye and also use a special light to look at the optic nerve inside the eye.
Treatment

The best way to treat glaucoma in Africa is by doing surgery to lower the pressure in the eye. A doctor with special training can make a small opening to help fluid drain properly. You will also have to use some medicine for a while until the eye is healed.


Will I see better after surgery?

Surgery cannot restore the vision but it will help prevent further loss of vision and eventual blindness. The more advanced the glaucoma the less chance of successful surgery. While the best chance of success, is to have surgery while the eye still has good vision, in some (rare) cases vision is reduced after surgery.

Article Source: http://www.kcco.net/GlaucomaEnglishbrochure.doc