Glaucoma is often called the “sneak thief of sight”, and this is because it causes people to lose vision without any symptoms until the very late stages.
The main risk factor for glaucoma is high pressure in the eye: if the pressure is too high for too long, you are at risk of developing glaucoma. A family history of glaucoma is also an important risk factor.
In the eye there is a structure that makes fluid, and another structure that drains it away. Together, the production and drainage of fluid is very carefully matched in most people, and it is this fluid that helps keep the eye in its proper round shape.
However, if too much fluid is produced, or not enough drains away, the eye pressure can rise because the eye is a closed system.
Monitoring
Checking for disease progression is an important part of caring for your glaucoma.
Most patients will need review with measurement of their eye pressure and visual field testing once every 6-12 months. This allows your glaucoma to be monitored over time and subtle changes detected in a timely fashion.
Treatment
Eye drops: these are the mainstay of treatment for glaucoma. Provided you take them as directed, drops are very effective at lowering the eye pressure, and over the past 20 years have revolutionised how this disease is managed – most patients with glaucoma can manage their disease on drops alone, and can avoid surgery.
Laser: especially to create a bypass channel through the iris to equalise the relative pressure difference across the iris.
Surgery: some patients will require surgery to control their glaucoma because laser or drops has not worked.
If you have a family history of glaucoma, especially if your family members have had vision loss from it or required surgery, you should have your eyes checked by your optometrist.