Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, also called glaucoma, is an eye disease caused by high pressure in the eye. Glaucoma is usually treated with eye drops that lower the pressure on the eye. It is very important that glaucoma medication is used regularly and correctly. Untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease where the pressure in the eye is too high. The eye is filled with a fluid called aqueous humor. Amniotic fluid is constantly replaced, and usually as much is made as is drained away. Glaucoma causes a blockage in the drainage system, which causes the pressure in the eye to rise. The nerve cells and fibers in the optic nerve will be damaged over time due to the high pressure, which in the worst case can lead to blindness.

Different types of glaucoma

There are different types of glaucoma, but the most common form of glaucoma in Norway is glaucoma with an open chamber angle (glaucoma simplex). It is a chronic disease that comes on over time, and which gradually causes poorer vision. About. 2% of all Norwegians over the age of 40 have this form of glaucoma.

Another type of glaucoma is acute glaucoma. This occurs when the chamber water drainage is suddenly blocked, and is a condition that requires immediate help. Symptoms are pain, headache, possibly nausea/vomiting, blurred vision and you see rainbow-coloured rings.

A third type of glaucoma is congenital glaucoma, but this is very rare. Symptoms are that the eye increases in size, becomes grey, and tears flow and becomes sensitive to light on the eye.

The last type of glaucoma is secondary glaucoma and is caused by other diseases, drug use or eye injuries.

Cause of development of glaucoma

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing glaucoma, including:

• Heritage

• Diabetes

• Long-term cortisone treatment

• High age

• Blood pressure disease

• Strong myopia

• Eye damage

• Inflammation of the iris

Symptoms of glaucoma

You can have glaucoma for a long time without noticing any signs of it. Over time, the fibers in the optic nerve are damaged and you can get narrower fields of vision (so-called blind spots) and poorer vision. If glaucoma is not treated, vision can be permanently reduced and blindness can eventually be the result. Glaucoma usually starts in one eye, but usually affects both eyes.

Preventive advice against glaucoma

It is important to check the pressure with an optician or doctor, so that glaucoma is detected as early as possible. If you are genetically predisposed to glaucoma, the pressure should be checked once a year after the age of 30. People who do not have glaucoma in their immediate family do not normally need a routine check-up until approximately the age of 50. If glaucoma is suspected, your optician or doctor can refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Treatment of glaucoma

Treatment of glaucoma involves lowering the pressure in the eye to a level that the optic nerve can tolerate. This can be done with drugs, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of these, and the treatment is always initiated by an ophthalmologist.

When using medicines, glaucoma is treated with local treatment in the form of eye drops, and sometimes also tablets.

Eye drops against glaucoma reduce the formation of aqueous humor or improve the excretion of aqueous humor. The drops are often dripped several times a day, depending on the type of eye drop you use and how high the pressure is. It is very important that you drip exactly as the doctor has decided and never interrupt the treatment without a doctor's agreement. The treatment will usually take place for the rest of your life.

When should you contact a doctor if you suspect glaucoma?

• If you start to see worse or get blind spots in your field of vision.

• If you suddenly experience severe pain in one eye with a headache and possibly nausea and vomiting, you should contact a doctor. These can be symptoms of acute glaucoma and must be treated immediately. The eye also often becomes red with tears.

• If you use medication for glaucoma and experience unpleasant side effects.

• If you are over 30 and have glaucoma in your immediate family.

• If you are over 50-60 and have not checked the pressure in your eyes.

Sources:

Norwegian health informatics for healthcare personnel, Helsebiblioteket.no, Norwegian Glaucoma Association, Norwegian Association of the Blind, Emergency services handbook, Oslo University Hospital