Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
BookMark
Report

Glaucoma - Types, Causes & Symptoms Of It!

Profile Image
Dr. Harshavardhan GhorpadeOphthalmologist • 23 Years Exp.MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MS - Ophthalmology, DNB Ophtalmology
Topic Image

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye's optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma is the second largest cause of eye blindness in the world.

There are several types of Glaucoma:

  1. Open-angle Glaucoma
  2. Normal-tension Glaucoma
  3. Angle-closure Glaucoma
  4. Congenital Glaucoma
  5. Secondary Glaucoma
  6. Glaucoma suspect

How will you know that you are suffering from Glaucoma?

Only half the people with glaucoma are aware that they are suffering from this condition. When Glaucoma develops, there are usually no early symptoms. This is why glaucoma can 'steal' sight gradually.

Symptoms:

  1. In its early stages, open-angle Glaucoma has no obvious symptoms. As the disease progresses more blind spots develop in the peripheral (side) view.
  2. An attack of angle-closure Glaucoma includes the following:
  • Severe pain in the eye or forehead
  • Redness of the eye
  • Decreased vision or blurred vision
  • Vision rainbows or halos
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

If you get any of the symptoms rush to your doctor and take an eye exam as soon as possible.

Causes:

  1. Eye injury
  2. Inflammation of the eye
  3. Dilating eye drops
  4. Blocked or restricted drainage in your eye
  5. Use of steroid-containing medications (pills, eye drops, sprays)
  6. Poor or reduced blood flow to your optic nerve
  7. High or elevated blood pressure

Who is at Risk for Glaucoma?
People with more risk of developing Glaucoma include people who:

  1. Are over age 40
  2. Have family members with glaucoma
  3. Have high eye pressure
  4. Are farsighted or nearsighted
  5. Have had an eye injury
  6. Have diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, poor blood circulation or other health problems affecting the whole body.
In case you have a concern or query you can always consult a specialist & get answers to your questions!
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously
doctor

Book appointment with top doctors for Eye Inflammation treatment

View fees, clinc timings and reviews
doctor

Treatment Enquiry

Get treatment cost, find best hospital/clinics and know other details