Glaucoma is a chronic ophthalmic illness. The disease is associated with increased intraocular pressure. Knowing as much information as possible about glaucoma - its causes, the main symptoms, the principles of treatment and prevention, - you can recognize the disease in time and prevent all its unpleasant consequences and complications.
Causes and symptoms of glaucoma
This disease is considered one of the most common. If you believe the statistics, it is because of her lost sight to 15% of all blind people on the planet. More often glaucoma develops in those who are over forty. But this does not mean that young people are safe. Specialists had to diagnose the disease even in infants.
In the eyes there is always a special liquid. It is located in the space between the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. Through a special drainage system, it enters the bloodstream. The ratio between the formation of fluid and its outflow and determines the value of intraocular pressure. The value of the latter should vary from 16 to 22 millimeters of mercury. Symptoms and the need for the treatment of glaucoma appear due to the large accumulation of watery fluid and increased pressure.
It is accepted to distinguish three main forms of the disease:
- Primary glaucoma occur most often. They arise suddenly. Developing ailments against the background of such problems as myopia , diabetes mellitus, diseases of the nervous system and thyroid gland. An important role is also played by age and hereditary predisposition.
- Congenital glaucoma develops before or during labor. They are traumas, tumors, inflammatory processes, embryonic abnormalities.
- Secondary glaucoma develops exclusively against a background of a disease, for example, keratitis , scleritis, uveitis, hemophthalmia, tumor, cataract, progressive iris atrophy. Sometimes the disease can develop as a result of a burn, mechanical trauma, contusion or unprofessional surgical intervention.
Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention are slightly different depending on whether the closed-angle or open-angle glaucoma is diagnosed. Characteristic for both forms of signs can be considered such as the appearance of rainbow circles around the light source and temporary blurring of vision. In most cases they are accompanied by headaches, a cut in the eyes and unpleasant sensations in the temples and brow ridges.
At later stages, vision begins to deteriorate sharply. And if you do not take any measures, it can suddenly disappear.
Treatment and prevention of glaucoma
Identify the causes and symptoms of glaucoma, start treatment, perform an operation and in order to prevent a diet should be as early as possible. The most terrible thing is that this is an irreversible illness. That is, if vision falls, then it will be impossible to restore it.
Drug therapy helps reduce blood pressure. To it address more often. Special drops act quickly and help to reduce the production of moisture or accelerate its outflow from the eye. In parallel, they are often prescribed vitamins, such as Lutein, for example.
Some patients can be helped only by surgical intervention. Operations are most often prescribed with open-angle glaucoma and help restore the normal operation of the drainage system.
And to avoid all this, you need to observe simple preventive norms:
- Once a year you should visit an ophthalmologist.
- The daily routine should be clear and healthy.
- The diet should consist of vitaminized foods: soy, asparagus, strawberries, carrots, cereals, lean meat and fish. And from baking, pickles and too sharp dishes will have to be abandoned.