What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases. As such, the symptoms of glaucoma can vary depending on the variety from which one suffers.

In the case of congenital glaucoma or infantile glaucoma, a child is either born with the disease or develops it within his or her first few years of life. Symptoms include watery eyes, apparent light sensitivity, cloudy eyes and eyes that look larger than normal.

For closed-angle glaucoma, some people may find that there may be no symptoms. Others may suffer symptoms that range from mild to severe. These symptoms include severe vision blurriness that is sudden, severe pain in or near the eye, nausea and vomiting, eye redness and seeing colored halos around lights.

Those affected by open-angle glaucoma may not have any really noticeable symptoms. There may be some side vision loss, but it may not be detected by the individual until this has become severe.

While vision in adults suffering glaucoma cannot be restored, there are treatment options available. Much of the focus of treatment is usually to help lower intraocular pressure, which is the pressure in one’s eyes. This serves to slow the damage to the optic nerve and, by doing this, helps to save the eyesight.

 

What Treatments are Available for Glaucoma?

One of the most popular ways of treating glaucoma is through medicines. These take the form of either eye drops or pills to be taken on a regular basis.

Another treatment option is laser trabeculoplasty. This is a procedure that utilizes a laser to help drain fluid from the eye.

Laser trabeculoplasty will not necessarily eliminate the need for medication. Pills or eye drops may need to be continued even after this is done, and the procedure may need to be repeated later on.

A third option, which is more invasive than the others, is conventional surgery. This is also known as trabeculectomy. In this procedure, there is a new opening made in order to allow fluid to exit the eye.

Given its more invasive nature, trabeculectomy is done after other treatments have failed. It carries with it several risks, including that of decreased vision after surgery. However, the procedure does typically prove effective in lowering intraocular pressure.