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When the pressure increases in the eye ball causing damage to the optic nerve and also causing a loss of vision the person who is affected is said to have glaucoma. In the normal eye there is fluid which is produced in the posterior chamber. This fluid then passes through the pupil and into the anterior chamber after which it drains through the outflow channels. Although a small amount of pressure is required to keep the shape of the eye ball intact, when the flow of this fluid is blocked by an obstruction the pressure increases producing blind spots in the visual field and a loss of peripheral vision. There are several types of glaucoma including open-angle glaucoma, subacute angle-closure glaucoma, congenital glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. The most common type of glaucoma seldom occurs before the age of 40 may have no symptoms at all until some degree of blindness has occurred.
Open angle glaucoma, which is the most common type of this condition, is caused by a gradual blockage of the out flow of aqueous humor which is the fluid in the front compartment of the eye. This blockage will usually occur over a period of years creating a slow rise in the pressure around the eye and has a tendency to run in families. When the blockage is caused by a sudden obstruction to the out flow of the aqueous humor from the eye this is called acute closed angle glaucoma. Although subacute angle closure glaucoma is somewhat similar to acute glaucoma it tends to develope more slowly and occurs for periods of time and then disappears, only to return again. When the glaucoma is diagnosed as congenital glaucoma this is caused by a structural abnormality to the drainage angles of the eye. This condition has also been known to be caused by serious eye diseases or an injury to the eye.
Although it is known that some forms of glaucoma runs in families, in general there is no known cause for this disorder. The pressure of the anterior chamber can be measured by an ophthalmologist or optometrist using a procedure called tonometry, which is a painless procedure, but in some cases glaucoma will occur even when there is no increased pressure in the eye. The symptoms with chronic glaucoma may include a gradual loss of peripheral vision that in many cases is not apparent to the person who is affected until late in the disease when severe and irreversible damage has been done. With acute glaucoma there may be a severe, dull, aching pain in and above the eye, fogginess of vision and a perception of halo's around lights during the evening hours. Occasionally vomiting and nausea will occur or the eye may appear red and have a pupil that is partially dilated. The cornea may appear hazy with this type of glaucoma as well.
With all forms of glaucoma the treatment is more successful if it has began early in the condition. With open angle glaucoma medicated eye drops are given to control the condition. With closed angle glaucoma there are several medications that can be given to quickly decrease the pressure in the eye and laser therapy is available to allow drainage. Acute closed angle glaucoma is considered a medical emergency and is treated immediately either laser surgery or medications to reduce the pressure. Glaucoma that is caused by injury or disease will depend on the cause. In some cases corticosteroids are given to decrease the inflammation with medication to keep the pupils enlarged.
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