Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of conditions in which the optic nerve, the cable connecting the eye to the brain, is gradually damaged, usually because of raised pressure inside the eye. The commonest type causes no pain and no symptoms until much of the vision has gone, starting at the edges. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in Nigeria, and people of African descent tend to develop it earlier and more severely. Lost sight cannot be restored, but treatment can stop further loss.
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Symptoms
- Usually no symptoms in the early stages
- Gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision
- Bumping into things or missing steps
- Tunnel vision in advanced disease
- In acute angle-closure glaucoma: sudden severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, haloes around lights, headache and vomiting
When to See a Doctor
Have your eye pressure and optic nerve checked every one to two years from 40, and earlier if a parent, brother or sister has glaucoma. Once diagnosed, keep every follow-up appointment and never stop drops because you feel fine. Go to an eye emergency service immediately for a sudden painful red eye with blurred vision, haloes and vomiting, which is acute glaucoma and can cause blindness within hours.
Treatment options
- Eye drops that lower eye pressure, used every day
- Laser treatment: selective laser trabeculoplasty, or laser iridotomy for angle closure
- Trabeculectomy, an operation that creates a new drainage channel
- Glaucoma drainage devices and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, where available
- Regular visual field tests and optic nerve scans to monitor progress
Common Questions
Can glaucoma be cured?
No, and lost vision cannot be restored. But early treatment usually preserves the remaining sight for life, which is why screening matters more for glaucoma than for almost any other eye disease.
Why must I use my drops if I feel nothing?
Glaucoma damage is silent. The drops protect the nerve by keeping the pressure down, and stopping them lets damage continue without warning. If the drops cause side effects or are hard to afford, tell your doctor rather than stopping: there are alternatives, including laser.
Does glaucoma run in families?
Yes. Having a parent, brother or sister with glaucoma raises your risk considerably. Family members should be checked regularly, starting earlier than usual.
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