GLAUCOMA

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is associated with the increase of intraocular pressure, or the pressure inside the eye. There are many types of glaucoma the two main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and angle- closure glaucoma. Openangle is caused by slow clogging drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure, has wide and open-angle between the iris and the cornea, develops slowly and slowly and is a lifelong condition and has symptoms and damage that are not noticed. Angle-closure glaucoma is the less common of glaucoma is caused by blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure, has a closed or narrow angle between the iris and cornea ,develops quickly, has symptoms and damage that are usually very noticeable, and demands immediate medical attention. Its also called acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. Four major facts about Glaucoma are Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness There is no cure for glaucoma Everyone is at risk for glaucoma There may be no warning symptoms
African Americans are 15 times more likely to be visually impaired from glaucoma than Caucasians

BABIES CAN HAVE GLAUCOMA

In most cases, congenital glaucoma is diagnosed with in the childs first year. Although uncommon, newborn primary congenital glaucoma is an important subtype of primary congenital glaucoma, notable because it is often the most severe and clinically challenging. Babies born with glaucoma have specific signs that help the doctor diagnose it at birth. Hereditary is the most common factor for childhood blindness. Some Signs of Childhood Glaucoma Unusually large eyes Excessive tearing Cloudy eyes Sensitivity to light

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FIVE COMMOM GLAUCOMA TEST

Early detection is very important. There are five test for glaucoma. Tonometry measures the pressure in the eye, during this test eye drops are used to numb the eye. Ophthalmoscopy helps the doctor examine the optic nerve for glaucoma damage. Eye drops are used to dilate the pupil so the doctor can see through the eye to examine the shape and the color of the optic nerve. Perimetry is a visual field that produces a map of the complete field of vision. Gonioscopy is a diagnostic exam that helps determine whether the angle where the iris meets the cornea is open and wide or narrow and closed. Pachymetry is a simple, painless test to measure the thickness of the cornea.

Glaucoma is found in animals

TREATMENTS FOR GLAUCOMA

Medical treatments for glaucoma include eye drops or oral medication. These treatments help either increase the exit fluid of the eye or decrease the production of fluid inside the eye. Each result in lower eye pressure. Surgical treatments are filtering surgery and laser surgery. Filtering surgery is the use of small surgical tools to create a drainage canal in the eye. Laser surgery uses a small powerful beam of light to make a small opening in the eye tissue. Sometimes surgical procedures may need to be repeated.

Treatments for Childhood glaucoma include surgical and medical treatments. Medical treatments can be as easy as using eye drops, pills or oral medication. Surgical procedures are goniosurgery, filtration surgery, glaucoma implant surgery, and laser surgery. All these methods are used to help lower eye pressure.

What to Expect
Thousands of children with glaucoma live full lives. The ultimate goal of glaucoma management is for the children to be encouraged to be independent and participate in their own self-care.