I only noticed recently that my peripheral vision has become blurred and on seeing an eye specialist I was told that I have chronic glaucoma. I've never heard of the condition so can you give me some information about it?
Glaucoma is a term used to describe a number of conditions in which abnormally high pressure builds up in the eye. As a result of this pressure, the blood vessels supplying the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes compressed.
This can lead to irreversible damage to the nerve with subsequent permanent loss of vision. The most common form of glaucoma is called chronic or open angle glaucoma. This develops from the gradual closing off of the drainage system in the eye.
Over time this leads to the accumulation of fluid which can eventually damage the optic nerve.
In the acute form of glaucoma, known as closed angle glaucoma, the drainage angle between the cornea and the iris completely closes, resulting in the pressure inside the eye rising quickly.
The doctor said I must have had this condition for some time. How come I didn't notice it until recently?
Chronic glaucoma typically leads to increased pressure slowly building up inside the eye. As a result the gradual loss of peripheral vision can be painless and cause no early symptoms. It can take months or even years before it is noticed.
In contrast, acute glaucoma, where the build up of fluid happens suddenly, tends to causes sudden blurring of vision in the affected eye, which may also be red and painful. Headaches and even vomiting may also occur.
In acute glaucoma there are often milder, warning attacks where the sufferer sees halos surrounding lights in the weeks and months prior to the full blown episode.
I have been using eye drops but wonder will my sight ever return to normal?
Once chronic glaucoma has been detected, treatment is aimed at the prevention of further damage to the optic nerve and subsequent vision loss. However, once vision loss has occurred the damage cannot be reversed.
Treatment of the condition is life-long and involves the use of a wide range of drugs to decrease pressure within the eye by either reducing the volume of fluid produced or increasing the drainage of this fluid.
Laser surgery might be recommended to help improve the flow of fluid from the eye.