MAIN Health Eye Care Glaucoma

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The eye is continually bathed in liquid that builds up and then is filtered through drainage canals. When something goes wrong with these internal 'pipes', pressure can build up within the eye and can eventually damage the optic nerve.

This condition is known as glaucoma.

As people age, glaucoma develops silently and painlessly.

At first, it may effect peripheral vision and present mild symptoms including headaches, occasional blurred vision or a dull pain in the eyes.

As the condition advances, more serious symptoms occur such as "halo" effects when a patient looks at bright lights.

No one knows the exact cause of glaucoma, but there does appear to be a genetic component along with a connection to ethnicity, as African-Americans are 4 to 5 times likely to develop the disease. It also appears more prevelant in people who are either extremely far-sighted or near-sighted.

If left untreated, even the more common form of glaucoma (closed angle) can lead to total blindness. The more serious and rarer form of glaucoma, known as open angle glaucoma, can lead to total blindness within a few days, and constitutes a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Treatment options typically include drugs & medications, used to reduce fluid formation in the eye and thus relieve pressure. Laser surgery is a recent innovation that has also proven to be safe and effective for those suffering from glaucoma.

Around the Web, find out more about the condition and related treatments, more on glaucoma symptoms as well as complementary & nutritional therapies helping patients alleviate risks associated with glaucoma ...

Learn About Glaucoma | Glaucoma Research Foundation - One-stop browsing for all you need to know including risk factors, symptoms and more on the different types of glaucoma, diagnostic testing & treatment options, related glossary, statistics, news updates.

Glaucoma Foundation - About Glaucoma - Facts & information on risks, diagnosis and treatment, free newsletter, FAQ, related resources.

Surgery for Open-Angle Glaucoma - In-depth look procedures performed for the most common form of glaucoma with illustrations, information on pre-operative, surgical and post-operative care, with more on aqueous shunt surgery, laser trabeculoplasty and cyclophotocoagulation, with a related printable brochure and fact sheet.

The Progression Of Open-Angle Glaucoma Symptoms As Seen Through The Eyes Of The Patient - Dramatic, interactive illustration showing what the world may look like as the disease progresses.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.