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| Eye Sight Examination What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged at the point where it leaves the eye. Nerve carries information from the light sensitive layer in your eye, the retina, to the brain where it is perceived as a picture. Your eye needs a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball in shape so that it can work properly. In some people, the damage is caused by raised eye pressure, Others may have an eye pressure with in normal limits but damages occurs because there is a weakness in optic nerve. In most cases both factors are involved but to a varying extent. Eye pressure is largely independent of blood pressure. What controls pressure in the eye? A layer of cells behind the
iris the colored part if the eye produces a watery fluid, called
aqueos. The fluid passes through a hole in the center of the iris
(called the pupil) to leave the eye through tiny drainage channels.
These are in the angle between the front of the eye (the cornea)
and the iris and return the fluid to the blood stream, Normally
the fluid produce is balanced by the fluid draining out, but if
it cannot escape, or too much is produced, then your eye pressure
will rise. (The aqueous fluid has nothing to do will tears.) |
The Types of Disease Found :
 Nastagmus Cataracts Diabetics Glaucoma Macular
Degeneration Retinal
Detachment |
|
How is chronic glaucoma detected? As glaucoma becomes much more common over the age of forty you should have eye tests at least every two years and ask for all three glaucoma tests. This has been shown to be much more effective in detecting glaucoma than just having one or two. These test are:
All these tests are very straightforward, don't hurt and can be done by most high street optometrisets (opticians).
The main treatment for chornic glaucoma aims to reduce the pressure in your eye. Some treatment also aim to improve the blood supply of the optic nerve. You will need to go to hospital for treatment and have regular check ups afterwards. Treatment to lower the pressure is usually started with eyedrops. These act by reducing the amount of fluid produced in the eye o by opening up the drainage channels so that excess liquid can drain away. If this does not help, your specialist may suggest either laser treatment or on operation called a trabeculectony to improve the drainage of fluids from your eye. Your specialist will discuss with you which is the best method in your particular case. |
