If that system is blocked or isn't functioning well, the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) builds, which in turn damages the optic nerve. With the most common type of glaucoma, this results in gradual vision loss.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, people experiencing the condition can enjoy a normal, active, and fulfilling life by keeping the condition under control to slow or prevent vision loss.
The damage caused by glaucoma can't be reversed. But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if you catch the disease in its early stages. Glaucoma is treated by lowering intraocular pressure.
Tunnel vision
A person with glaucoma generally loses their peripheral vision gradually but retains their central vision. People can describe it as looking into a tube where a person sees things straight ahead clearly, but the sides look dim or blurry. The loss usually starts on the side nearest to the nose.
Because it happens so slowly, many people can't tell that their vision is changing at first. But as the disease gets worse, you may start to notice that you can't see things off to the side anymore. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.
At this stage, glaucoma is quite advanced. Stage four is characterized by damage to the optic nerve. This is a situation that will need to be corrected for the patient to continue functioning normally. Stage five is the last stage where vision loss occurs.
Glaucoma is a slowly progressing problem. On an average, untreated Glaucoma takes around 10-15 years to advance from early damage to total blindness. With an IOP (Intraocular Pressure) of 21-25 mmHg it takes 15 yrs to progress, an IOP of 25-30 mmHg around seven years and pressure more than 30 mmHg takes three years.
By the time you notice vision loss from glaucoma, it's too late. The lost vision cannot be restored, and it's very likely you may experience additional vision loss, even after glaucoma treatment begins.
Unfortunately, we don't know of any pair of glasses that can protect your eye health from further glaucoma damage. However, there are glasses that could help you deal with the effects of glaucoma on your daily life.
High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.
The most common treatments for glaucoma are eye drops and, rarely, pills. There are a number of different categories of eye drops, but all are used to either decrease the amount of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye or improve its outward flow. Sometimes doctors will prescribe a combination of eye drops.
Glaucoma is often treated with eye drops taken regularly several times a day, sometimes in combination with pills. These medications will alter the circulation of eye fluid and lower eye pressure, either by decreasing the production of fluid within the eye, or by increasing the flow leaving the drainage angle.
Summary. Living with glaucoma does not necessarily mean giving up driving. Some drivers with glaucoma learn to scan the visual environment such that they are still safe drivers. However, it is important to have your driving assessed if you or your family and friends are concerned about your driving.
If your eyes become tired with prolonged concentration, you can rest them periodically - but please don't worry that you have done them any harm. Similarly, longer distance viewing such as driving, watching TV or going to the movies does not harm your eyes.
Is glaucoma a disability? For many people, glaucoma doesn't lead to substantial vision loss, especially in the condition's early stages. If your diagnosis comes quite late or goes on to cause significant vision loss, then this sight loss may be considered a disability.
Untreated glaucoma can lead to the faster development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Treatments can slow down additional vision loss, but they can't restore lost vision. It's important to see an eye doctor right away if you have eye pain, severe headaches or vision problems.
One of the easiest ways for glaucoma patients to ease the discomfort caused by glare and light sensitivity is to utilize proper sunglasses. Protecting the eyes from UV rays is important for everyone, and especially those with ocular health complications.
There are often no early symptoms, which is why 50% of people with glaucoma don't know they have the disease. There is no cure (yet) for glaucoma, but if it's caught early, you can preserve your vision and prevent vision loss. Taking action to preserve your vision health is key.
8 Loss of vision in glaucoma has been traditionally described as “tunnel vision” or as if “looking through a straw” (courtesy: National Eye Institute and National Institutes of Health). Loss of peripheral vision for 1 eye indicates diminished vision toward the edges of the VF of that eye (Figures 2A and 2B).
Absolutely. The aim of treating patients with glaucoma is for them to be able to maintain their quality of life and live as normally as possible. Patients with glaucoma have a normal life expectancy and, with treatment, can carry out activities as they did before diagnosis.
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to visual field loss. One of the major risk factors is eye pressure. An abnormality in the eye's drainage system can cause fluid to build up, leading to excessive pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.
Adhere to Medications
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any problems with your medications and dosages. “Strict adherence to medication is the single most important thing a patient with glaucoma can do to keep their vision from worsening,” Yohannan says.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness
And unfortunately approximately 10% of people with glaucoma who receive proper treatment still experience loss of vision.
What's the most common age for developing glaucoma? You are most at risk for developing glaucoma if you are 40 years old or older. But that's not to say that this is the only time you can develop glaucoma. Like any other health condition, anyone can develop glaucoma.
If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma you will require a 3-12 monthly follow up, depending on the severity of disease, the IOP levels under treatment, and other risk factors. The more severe the disease, the more frequent the follow-up.