Glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye problem where the fluid inside the eye is not draining well. This increases the pressure inside the eye. This pressure can damage the nerve that helps you see. When long-term glaucoma is not treated, it can cause blindness. There are different types of glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma − The fluid inside the eye is draining but too slowly. Signs of eyesight problems happen over time. Closed-angle glaucoma − The fluid in front of the eye cannot drain at all. Signs of eyesight problems are more sudden and more severe. Developmental glaucoma − Most often happens around the time of birth. Doctors find this illness by doing regular eye exams and measuring eye pressure. Glaucoma can be treated using drugs, but sometimes surgery is needed to make a passage for the fluid to drain. Surgery may be done with a laser or a microscope. Your doctor will recommend the one that is best for your type of glaucoma. If glaucoma is treated early, before any loss of vision, your eyesight should remain good. If you have any loss of eyesight, these treatments will not give you back the eyesight you have already lost. Drugs and surgery will only prevent more loss of eyesight.
Name
Glaucoma Discharge Instructions
About this topic
Glaucoma is an eye problem where the fluid inside the eye is not draining well. This increases the pressure inside the eye. This pressure can damage the nerve that helps you see. When long-term glaucoma is not treated, it can cause blindness. There are different types of glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma − The fluid inside the eye is draining but too slowly. Signs of eyesight problems happen over time. Closed-angle glaucoma − The fluid in front of the eye cannot drain at all. Signs of eyesight problems are more sudden and more severe. Developmental glaucoma − Most often happens around the time of birth. Doctors find this illness by doing regular eye exams and measuring eye pressure. Glaucoma can be treated using drugs, but sometimes surgery is needed to make a passage for the fluid to drain. Surgery may be done with a laser or a microscope. Your doctor will recommend the one that is best for your type of glaucoma. If glaucoma is treated early, before any loss of vision, your eyesight should remain good. If you have any loss of eyesight, these treatments will not give you back the eyesight you have already lost. Drugs and surgery will only prevent more loss of eyesight.
What drugs may be needed?
Lower pressure in the eyes
What problems could happen?
Loss of good eyesight,Blindness
When do I need to call the doctor?
Very bad eye pain,Sudden loss or change in eyesight
Body systems
Ocular
What are other common names?
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma,Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma,Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma,Closed-Angle Glaucoma,Developmental Glaucoma,High Blood Pressure of the Eye,Increased Intraocular Pressure,Increased Ocular Pressure,Loss of Eyesight,Loss of Vision,Low Tension Glaucoma,Ocular Hypertension,Open-Angle Glaucoma,POAG,Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma,Primary Closed-Angle Glaucoma,Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma,Vision Loss,Visual Loss
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