According to statistics, glaucoma is second only to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as a cause of blindness in the UK. From current estimates extrapolated from population surveys, it is indicated that there are 700,000 cases of glaucoma in the UK. High risk factors consistent with any individual over 35 years of age, of Afro-Caribbean descent, diabetic and those with a family history of glaucoma.
Pathology: How does it affect sight?
Glaucoma is condition of the optic nerve in which a loss of retinal nerve fibres leads to vision loss. A significant and manageable risk factor is intraocular pressure in the eye. An all-inclusive definition is quite difficult to provide, as glaucoma does not represent a single pathological condition. It consists of an extension and widely differing clinical features. There exists:
i) Primary (open-angle) glaucoma: No ocular disease is present just either an acute or chronic case
ii) Acute (angle-closure) glaucoma: An abrupt rise in pressure due to sudden closure of the angle of the anterior chamber between the cornea and iris where the aqueous humour
iii) Chronic simple (Open-angle) glaucoma: This occurs gradually without symptoms.
Is it preventable?
Yes & No.
There are no known ways of preventing vision loss from glaucoma, unless it is recognised in the early stages. Glaucoma, in particularly primary open angle glaucoma, is hereditary therefore it cannot be definitively preventable. A central strategy to supporting and preventing vision loss from glaucoma, involves increasing access to care for individuals of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity who are categorised within a high-risk group as they are eight times more likely to develop open angle glaucoma 4
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Is it curable?
No.
Medication or treatment options:
The treatment goal for glaucoma is to reduce the amount of aqueous humour produced. Therefore the rationale for treatment is to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP). The drugs of choice are beta-blockers timolol, levobunolol and betaxlol. The preferred route of administration is directly into the eye in the form of eye drops. Other classes of drugs prescribed include carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, consisting of brinzolamide and dorzolamide. Alpha-receptor stimulants such as apraclonidine and brimonidine can also used as a therapeutic option in the management of glaucoma. Finally, prostaglandin analogues such as lantanoprost and bimatoprost make up the mainstay therapies used in treating glaucoma. In more advances stages surgical treatment is also available.
What else can be done?
The best thing you can do to combat glaucoma is to regularly undertake eye exams. Early detection and careful, lifelong treatment can maintain vision in most people. Unfortunately, glaucoma’s prevalent form is primary (open-angle) glaucoma is a silent, slow and progressive form of vision loss.
Holistic approaches involving one’s lifestyle will also contribute towards staving off vision loss due to glaucoma. These include maintaining a healthy weight achieved through an appropriate diet and physical activity and regular exercise. Where possible attempting and committing to quitting smoking and reducing caffeine intake to moderate levels helps, as evidence suggests that high amounts of caffeine may increase eye pressure. Finally, appropriate eyewear and hat to prevent over exposure to sunlight when outdoors is very much recommended.