Causes of glaucoma in the eye or glaucoma or blue water and its treatment in two minutes

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60, although it can occur at any age, it is more common among older people. The problem is that glaucoma may not have any symptoms or warning signs, making its effect gradual, as the patient often does not feel a change in vision until the condition reaches an advanced stage. In this article, we will review the causes of glaucoma and methods of treating it according to Dalili Medical.

**What is glaucoma?**

Glaucoma refers to conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to blurred vision and many other disorders. Glaucoma begins gradually, and may appear suddenly depending on the causes. Fortunately, early treatment is often effective.

**What is the success rate of glaucoma surgery?**

Glaucoma surgery has a high success rate, as it achieves good therapeutic results and preserves the functions of the optic nerve, provided that the condition is diagnosed early and the surgery is performed in a timely manner before symptoms worsen. The experience of the ophthalmologist plays a major role in the success of the treatment plan, as an experienced doctor can accurately use diagnostic tools to assess the patient's condition and choose the best treatment method.

**Causes of glaucoma in the eye:**

Glaucoma occurs as a result of increased pressure inside the eye due to the accumulation of large amounts of fluid, and this often occurs when the fluid drainage channels in the eye fail. Fluids accumulate inside the eye, causing the back parts to press heavily on the optic nerve. The reasons for this include:

- Aging, as the likelihood of developing glaucoma increases in individuals aged 40 years and above.

- Genetic factors, as the presence of affected individuals in the family increases the likelihood of infection.

- Exposure to an eye injury that leads to damage to the fluid drainage channels.

- Infection with a bacterial infection in the eye.

- Blockage of the blood vessels that feed the eye.

- Previous eye surgeries.

- Cancerous tumors in the eye or surrounding tissues.

- Incorrect use of some medications such as cortisone and cold medications.

- Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

- Visual defects.

- Corneal thickness is less than normal.

**Is there a non-surgical treatment for glaucoma?**

Some eye drops and medications prescribed by a doctor can be effective in reducing the production of aqueous fluid in the eye or enhancing its drainage, which leads to a decrease in eye pressure.

**Does high eye pressure mean glaucoma?**

High eye pressure is not a disease in itself, but rather a sign that a person may be more susceptible to glaucoma. The differences between them can be explained as follows:

Glaucoma usually occurs as a result of damage to the optic nerve, and this damage is often caused by high eye pressure. However, high eye pressure does not always lead to damage to the optic nerve, so not every increase in eye pressure necessarily means glaucoma. There are different types of glaucoma, and in some cases, eye pressure may be normal upon examination, which means that high eye pressure is not the only factor causing glaucoma.

**How ​​does glaucoma affect visual functions?**

High eye pressure affects the eye cells directly or by putting pressure on the blood vessels, preventing the arrival of oxygen and nutrients necessary for the survival of these cells. Among the cells most affected are the ganglion cells associated with the retina, from which nerve fibers emerge that gather at the optic nerve to form the optic nerve responsible for transmitting the image to the vision center in the brain. This leads to the destruction of ganglion cells and nerve fibers in the retina and optic nerve, which shows upon examination an increase in cavitation in the optic nerve and damage to the nerve fibers. Therefore, it is necessary to seek effective treatment for eye pressure in the early stages of the disease before the effect of glaucoma on the eye worsens.

**Is glaucoma hereditary?**

Glaucoma is considered a hereditary disease in some individuals, as some genes associated with high eye pressure and optic nerve damage have been identified.

**What are the types of glaucoma in the eye?**

There are five main types of glaucoma, which vary in their causes and severity, including:

1. **Open-angle glaucoma (chronic):** There are no obvious signs or symptoms except for a gradual loss of vision, which may occur slowly over years, leading to irreversible damage. This is the most common type, and results from a gradual blockage of the drainage channels in the eye.

2. **Angle-closure glaucoma (acute):** This is a rare type that occurs when the flow of aqueous humor fluid suddenly stops due to a blockage of the drainage, leading to a buildup of fluid and increased pressure on the optic nerve in a severe and painful manner. This condition is considered an emergency and requires an immediate visit to the doctor, and its symptoms include severe pain, nausea, and blurred vision.

3. **Congenital glaucoma**: Children born with this type have a defect in the angle of the eye, which slows or prevents the normal drainage of fluid. Congenital glaucoma often has symptoms such as cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, or sensitivity to light, and can run in families.

4. **Secondary glaucoma**: Secondary glaucoma is the result of side effects of an injury or other medical condition in the eye, such as cataracts, eye tumors, or uveitis. It may also be caused by certain medications, such as corticosteroids.

5. **Normal tension glaucoma**: In some cases, people who do not have high eye pressure develop damage to the optic nerve, and the cause is unknown.

However, severe allergies or decreased blood flow to the optic nerve may play a role in this type.

6. **Pseudoglaucoma**: occurs when material collects between the lenses of the eye, blocking the flow of fluid in the angle between the iris and cornea.

7. **Traumatic glaucoma**: is damage to the optic nerve resulting from bruising or a penetrating injury to the eye, and symptoms may appear immediately or years later.

Who is most at risk for glaucoma?

Glaucoma is more common in older adults, but it can also affect children, infants, and young people under 40. Regular screening is essential for early detection of glaucoma if you:

- Are older than 40

- Have a family history of glaucoma

- Have poor vision

- Have diabetes

- Have had an injury to one or both eyes

- Have thinning of the cornea

- Have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or sickle cell anemia

- Have high eye pressure

- Have nearsightedness or farsightedness

How is glaucoma treated?

The damage caused by glaucoma to the eye cannot be reversed, but treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if diagnosed early. Glaucoma is treated by lowering eye pressure, and depending on the patient's condition, treatment options may include:

Eye drops: Glaucoma treatment often begins with drops prescribed by a doctor. Eye drops help reduce eye pressure by improving the drainage of fluid from the eye, or by reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces. Your doctor may prescribe more than one type of eye drop depending on the amount of eye pressure. Possible side effects of eye drops include mild redness and stinging in the eyes, darkening of the iris, darkening of the eyelashes or eyelid skin, and blurred vision.

Oral medications: Your doctor may also prescribe oral medications if eye drops alone are not enough to lower your eye pressure to normal. These medications include beta blockers or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These medications may help improve fluid drainage or slow its formation. Possible side effects of these medications include frequent urination, tingling in the fingers and toes, depression, upset stomach, kidney stones, difficulty breathing, slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, impotence, and fatigue.

Laser surgery: Lasers can be used in several ways to treat glaucoma. These procedures include trabeculoplasty, which opens blocked channels; iridotomy, which is a procedure that creates a small hole in the iris to allow fluid to flow more freely; and ciliary coagulation, which treats the middle layer of the eye to reduce fluid production.

Microsurgery: A procedure called trabeculectomy, in which the doctor creates a new channel to drain fluid and relieve eye pressure. This type of surgery may need to be performed more than once. This surgery can result in temporary or permanent vision loss, as well as bleeding or infection.

**Is glaucoma hereditary?**

Glaucoma is considered a hereditary disease in some individuals, as certain genes have been identified that are linked to high eye pressure and damage to the optic nerve.

**What are the types of glaucoma in the eye?**

There are five main types of glaucoma, which vary in their causes and severity, including:

1. **Open-angle glaucoma (chronic):** There are no obvious signs or symptoms except for a gradual loss of vision, which may occur slowly over years, leading to irreversible damage. This is the most common type, and results from a gradual blockage of the drainage channels in the eye.

2. **Angle-closure glaucoma (acute):** This is a rare type that occurs when the flow of aqueous humor fluid suddenly stops due to a blockage of the drainage, leading to a buildup of fluid and increased pressure on the optic nerve in a severe and painful manner. This condition is considered an emergency and requires an immediate visit to the doctor, and its symptoms include severe pain, nausea, and blurred vision.

3. **Congenital glaucoma**: Children born with this type have a defect in the angle of the eye, which slows or prevents the normal drainage of fluid. Congenital glaucoma often has symptoms such as cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, or sensitivity to light, and can run in families.

4. **Secondary glaucoma**: Secondary glaucoma is the result of side effects of an injury or other medical condition in the eye, such as cataracts, eye tumors, or uveitis. It can also be caused by certain medications, such as corticosteroids.

5. **Normal tension glaucoma**: In some cases, people who do not have high eye pressure develop damage to the optic nerve, and the cause is unknown. However, severe allergies or decreased blood flow to the optic nerve may play a role in this type.

6. **Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma**: This occurs when material collects between the lenses of the eye, blocking the flow of fluid in the angle between the iris and cornea.

7. **Traumatic glaucoma**: This is damage to the optic nerve as a result of bruising or a penetrating injury to the eye, and symptoms may appear immediately or years later.

**Symptoms of normal tension glaucoma**

Normal tension glaucoma is a type of glaucoma in which the optic nerve is damaged due to decreased blood flow to it, without an increase in eye pressure. Some consider it a type of open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma usually develops gradually, like open-angle glaucoma, and may not be detected until the optic nerve is damaged and vision is affected. In advanced stages, symptoms of normal tension glaucoma may include:

- Blind spots in the field of vision.

- Loss of side vision.

- Redness of the eye.

- Dilation of the pupil even in the presence of light.

- Feeling nauseous.-

Complete loss of vision in the later stages.

**Symptoms of secondary glaucoma**

Secondary glaucoma occurs as a result of exposure to trauma or another medical condition that leads to the development of glaucoma. Among these conditions:

- Uveitis.

- Diabetes.

- Cataracts.

- Use of corticosteroid medications.

The symptoms of glaucoma in this case vary depending on the type of glaucoma, whether it is open-angle or closed-angle, in addition to the symptoms associated with the causative condition. It is important to note that secondary glaucoma can be treated by treating the underlying condition that led to the high eye pressure, but the damage to the optic nerve or vision cannot be repaired.

**Symptoms of congenital glaucoma**

Congenital glaucoma is a hereditary type of open-angle glaucoma, which appears in newborns as a result of the fluid drainage system in the eye not developing normally before birth, which leads to fluid accumulation and increased eye pressure. This pressure affects the optic nerve fibers, which negatively affects vision. Symptoms of congenital glaucoma can appear in children from birth to 3 years of age, and are often detected by doctors between 3 and 6 months. At first, there may be no clear symptoms, but over time, the condition develops and several signs appear on the child, including:

- Excessive tearing of the eye.

- Sensitivity to light.

- Frequent crying.

- Increased eye size and swelling.

- The appearance of a cloudy or watery layer on the cornea.

- Strabismus.

**The best ways to treat glaucoma in the eye**

The treatment of glaucoma in the eye aims primarily to preserve the functions of the optic nerve and prevent its atrophy, thus avoiding vision loss. There are several treatment methods that help manage this condition and prevent its exacerbation, and can be summarized as follows:

- **Using medications to treat glaucoma (in the form of drops)**: The treatment process begins with prescribing eye drops that work to reduce and regulate eye pressure, which helps reduce pressure on the optic nerve. However, these drops may not be effective for all cases, and require strict commitment from the patient regarding the timing of use and the number of doses. Therefore, the doctor may decide to resort to other, more effective treatment options.

**Traditional Glaucoma Surgery**

Glaucoma surgery is an alternative option when medications fail to treat the problem. The procedure is performed as follows:

The doctor begins by anesthetizing the patient's eye locally to ensure that he does not feel pain during the procedure.

The doctor then makes an incision in the sclera, which is the white part of the eye, and removes part of the trabecular meshwork to restore fluid drainage to its normal position.

The opening is then covered with the conjunctiva to hide it, and it is sutured to the outer layers of the eye.

After the procedure is completed, the doctor prescribes the patient anti-inflammatory eye drops to help prevent infection of the wound and ensure it heals safely.

**Drainage Implantation**

This procedure involves several steps, which are:

1. Anesthetizing the patient locally.

2. Making an incision in the trabecular meshwork.

3. Inserting a small silicone tube to drain excess fluid from the eye.

**Glaucoma Treatment Drops**

Types of glaucoma treatment drops include:

- **Beta-adrenergic blockers**: These drops work to reduce the production of aqueous humor in the eye, and have been considered the gold standard for treating glaucoma for many years. Among the drops used in this context:

- Levobunolol.

- Metipranolol.

- Timolol.

- Carteolol.

- **Prostaglandin analogues**: These are hormone-like substances that play a role in a range of functions in the body, and in the case of glaucoma, these analogues help increase the drainage of fluid from the eye. Examples of drops used include:

- Bimatoprost.

- Latanoprost.

- Tafluprost.

- Travoprost.

**Adrenergic agonists**

Adrenergic agonists, such as the hormone adrenaline, work to reduce the production of fluid in the eye and increase its drainage, which helps in treating glaucoma. Adrenergic agonist drops used in this context include:

- Brimonidine

- Apraclonidine

- Epinephrine

- Dipivefrin

**Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors**

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors work to reduce the production of fluid in the eye, which helps in treating glaucoma. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drops used in this treatment include:

- Brinzolamide

- Dorzolamide

**Laser glaucoma treatment**

Laser technology targets open-angle glaucoma by directing laser beams to the blocked trabecular meshwork, which helps expand the blocked openings and allows eye fluid to drain.

In rare cases, the doctor may advise the patient to use glaucoma treatment drops after applying the laser technique, as combining these two treatments can improve results and increase recovery rates.

**Surgical intervention (glaucoma treatment operation)**

If eye drops and laser technology do not succeed in treating glaucoma, the specialist doctor may resort to performing a delicate surgery. This procedure involves installing small tubes that drain excess fluid, leading to a decrease in eye pressure.

**Herbs used in treating glaucoma**

Baicalin herbal supplements are a natural option for treating glaucoma. Studies on mice with glaucoma have shown that this extract, found in many plants, helped reduce eye pressure by improving the rate of fluid drainage.

Polypores has also been used to treat glaucoma, due to its ability to lower eye pressure and improve the flow of oxygenated blood to the eye. According to traditional Chinese medicine, 9 grams of this herb is enough to overcome glaucoma.

Cinnamon is a well-known spice in alternative medicine in China, as it contains nutrients that give it multiple therapeutic properties. Chinese doctors have noted that cinnamon has positive effects on glaucoma patients, as it helps drain fluid from the eye and enhances blood flow. To get the desired results, glaucoma patients are advised to take 12 grams of cinnamon.

Chinese doctors have added Plantago seeds to the list of natural herbs used to treat glaucoma, as these herbal supplements are used to diuresis and improve visual acuity. Doctors have discovered their superior ability to drain fluid from the eye in glaucoma patients.

Is glaucoma surgery dangerous?

Glaucoma surgery is a surgical procedure that aims to treat high fluid pressure inside the eye. Although this procedure may be necessary in some cases, it may involve some risks and potential side effects. The occurrence of complications depends on the competence of the doctor performing the operation, the method used, and the sophistication of the medical center in which the operation is performed, in addition to the availability of modern equipment and its maintenance according to the instructions of the manufacturers. The competence and training of the nursing team also play a fundamental role in the success of the operation. The "I Care" Center is distinguished by the availability of all of these factors.

Common complications that may occur after glaucoma surgery include: bleeding, inflammation, swelling, infection, pain, keratitis, numerical creep, conjunctivitis, and retinal leakage. There may also be a temporary or permanent change in vision after the operation, but these side effects are rare.

Patients with glaucoma should consult their specialist doctor to determine whether surgery is appropriate for their condition. They should also undergo periodic eye examinations to detect any changes in their condition and evaluate the effectiveness of glaucoma treatment.