Glaucoma

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure within the eye is elevated.  If untreated, it can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness.  Since the optic nerve is relatively strong, it can often withstand years of elevated eye pressure before damage occurs.  However, once damage is done, it is irreversible.

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There are two sorts of glaucoma: gradual onset (chronic) and sudden onset (acute).  Chronic glaucoma is the most common form and usually has no symptoms until an irreversible loss of vision has occurred.

Incidence; Causes and Development

Chronic glaucoma usually occurs after the age of 35 years but is sometimes seen in children.

The front of each eyeball is filled with a watery fluid called the aqueous humor, which is continually produced and drains from the front of the eye through a small channel.  An increase in pressure can result either from too much fluid being produced or from too little draining away: glaucoma is almost always due to the latter.

The cause of chronic glaucoma usually is unclear.

Other causes include blockage of a vein in the eye, tumors or pupil dilation.  When the pupil dilates, the drainage channel gets blocked: an attack of acute glaucoma can be brought on by anything that causes the pupil to dilate, such as dim lighting, certain eye drops and some medications such as various types of antidepressant medicine.

Signs and Symptoms

Loss of vision initially affects only the extreme edges of one's field of view; if the raised pressure is not treated, the impairment of vision spreads and can cause blindness.

Patients with chronic glaucoma experience a very gradual increase in eye pressure that slowly damages the optic nerve, resulting in a slow-but-progressive loss of vision.  Usually both eyes are affected and the visual loss may not be immediately apparent since it starts at the edges of the field of vision.  However, if it is not treated, it can eventually cause blindness.

In those with acute or 'closed-angle' glaucoma, symptoms start suddenly and usually affect only one eye.  Initially, there may be a slight decrease in vision, the appearance of colored halos around bright objects and pain in the eye and head.  After a few hours the symptoms become much more severe with rapid loss of vision and sudden, severe throbbing pain in the eye.  The eyelid swells and the eye becomes red and watery, with a dilated pupil that doesn't respond to light by closing, as it should.  There may be nausea and vomiting.  Although most symptoms disappear after treatment with medication, there may be some remaining loss of peripheral vision.  Attacks can re-occur, and if they do, each one tends to further reduce the field of vision.

Diagnosis and Tests

Glaucoma is diagnosed by measuring the pressure of the fluid in the eyeball: the intraocular pressure.  This is usually done with a tonometer, of which there are two basic types.  The simplest uses a puff of air blown against the surface of the eye.  More commonly, a Goldman tonometer is used, as this gives more accurate measurements.  To use this, the eye specialist will put some drops in the eyes.  These may sting slightly to start with but then the surface of the eye becomes numb.  Using a microscope, the tonometer is then brought in close so that it lightly touches the surface of the eye.  The procedure takes only a moment or two and is painless.  During an attack of acute glaucoma, the diagnosis is usually easily made.  However, in chronic glaucoma it is sometimes necessary to make a series of measurements over time to confirm the diagnosis.

There are some other tests that may be done.  Firstly, using an ophthalmoscope (an instrument with a bright light), the optic nerve at the back of the eye will be observed.  Secondly, a patient's visual fields may be examined by having them look straight ahead at a central point and say when they see a spot of light appear at the side.  Finally, the eye may be examined with a contact lens with a tiny mirror attached.  Eye drops are used to numb the surface of the eye first.  This examination may take 5 to 10 minutes.

Prognosis

Most people with glaucoma respond well to treatment.  Intraocular pressure can usually be controlled by the regular and sustained use of eye drops and medication, preventing any further loss of vision.

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Glaucoma:

Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular

Pain in both eyes or pain in one eye

Acute glaucoma causes episodes of severe eye pain.

Conditions that suggest Glaucoma:

Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular

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Risk factors for Glaucoma:

Family History

Glaucoma in close family members

Glaucoma tends to run in families.

Personal Background

African ethnicity

Glaucoma is more common in certain racial groups, notably Afro-Caribbeans.

Supplements, Medications, Drugs

Minor/moderate/major steroid use

The use of all steroid drugs has been associated with causing "steroid glaucoma" in certain individuals.  It is thought that about 5% of people using topical steroids will have a large increase in intraocular pressures.  The glaucomatous damage produced is usually stopped by discontinuing use of the steroid; the intraocular pressure returns to normal in about 2 to 4 weeks.  However, for those who have been on corticosteroids for more than 4 years, chronic glaucoma can develop that requires treatment.  This type of glaucoma is without symptoms and thus similar to primary or low tension open angle glaucoma.  The use of steroids very rarely causes a closed angle attack.  Patients on these medications need to have eye exams at least twice a year.

Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular

Having had eye injury or surgery

A previous eye injury or surgery, especially if this involved bleeding into the eye, can cause glaucoma.

Being mildly/being moderately/being severely/being extremely farsighted

Acute glaucoma is usually due to the shape of the eyeball and is most common in farsighted people.

Glaucoma suggests the following may be present:

Habits

Need For Routine Preventative Health Measures

Regular eye tests are recommended if you are over 40 years old.  The test for glaucoma must be performed by a trained person, either an ophthalmologist or a trained ophthalmic optician.  The test for glaucoma may not be a part of the standard eye test given and should be requested.

Those diagnosed with glaucoma will need to attend regular follow-up appointments during which any perceived loss of vision must be reported.  Those who have had an episode of acute glaucoma should be aware of the early symptoms and consult a doctor immediately should they re-occur.

Recommendations for Glaucoma:

Botanical / Herbal

Marijuana

High intraocular pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to glaucoma.  Marijuana is being used to reduce intraocular pressure. [Grinspoon, L., and Bakaler, J.B. "Marijuana as Medicine." Journal of the American Medical Association 1995; 273(23): pp1875-76.]

Coleus

Studies in healthy humans, including at least one double-blind trial, have shown that direct application of an ophthalmic preparation of forskolin to the eyes lowers eye pressure, thus reducing the risk of glaucoma. [Lancet 1983;1: pp.958-60, Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 1984;185: pp.522-6]  Direct application of the whole herb to the eyes has not been studied and is not recommended.

Diet

Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance

A single dose of caffeinated coffee (but not decaffeinated coffee) can increase intraocular pressure in persons with glaucoma. [Ann Pharmacother 2002;36(6): pp.992-5]

Drug

Conventional Drug Use

It is most important for those having been diagnosed with glaucoma of any sort to use any medication that they are given by an ophthalmologist as directed.  Medicated eye drops, which work by increasing drainage of aqueous fluid or reducing its production, can usually control chronic glaucoma.

These pressure-reducing drugs may include:

  • A 'beta-blocker' (e.g. betaxolol)
  • A 'miotic' (e.g. pilocarpine)
  • Adrenaline-related drugs (e.g. apraclonidine)
  • A 'carbonic anhydrase inhibitor' (which may be taken by mouth; e.g. acetazolamide)

During an attack of acute glaucoma, treatment by mouth either with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor or with glycerine solution can abort the attack, if taken early enough.  In a severe attack, an intravenous injection of a drug called mannitol may be necessary to bring the intraocular pressure down promptly.  Beta-blocker and pilocarpine eye drops are also usually given.  After an attack, treatment usually continues with eye drops and doses of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Invasive / Surgery

Surgery

In all forms of glaucoma, if the pressure cannot be controlled with medicines and eye drops, or if the side-effects are unacceptable, the drainage from the front part of the eye can be increased surgically.  This can be done either by using a laser to create a hole in the iris or by using microsurgery to cut out part of the iris.  Usually both eyes are treated.

Supplements

Alpha Lipoic Acid

150mg per day improves visual function in people with both stage I and stage II glaucoma.

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