faq_category: Glaucoma
Iritis affects the front of the eye, this could result from a genetic or underlying systemic condition of the eye or even due to infection. If left untreated, iritis can lead to glaucoma.
Patient with glaucoma should religiously visit an ophthalmologist every 4-6 months.
Several surgical options are available. The goal of surgical therapy is to control the further progression of glaucoma. The loss that has already occurred, cannot be regained.
Open-angle glaucoma is also known as primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), for this Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) may be done to lower the pressure inside the eye. An alternative to eye drops or pills, this laser therapy is moderately effective in the short-term and safe to treat open-angle glaucoma.
Congenital glaucoma is also known as infantile or childhood glaucoma. This is a rare condition and is detected in the first year of life.
Neovascular glaucoma is categorized as secondary glaucoma which occurs secondary to retinal disease, most common being diabetic , in which new abnormal blood vessels close the angle of the eye causing a blockage.
Pigmentary glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma which can develop in men during their 20s or 30s. It is inherited and myopic patients are more prone to pigmentary glaucoma.
Ocular trauma can cause glaucoma both in the acute phase, and also years later. This latter is caused by damage to the drainage angle due to trauma.
Tests that are specific to glaucoma are 1. Tonometry (measurement of eye pressure) 2. Gonioscopy (viewing of the drainage angle) 3. Bio-microscopic fundoscopy (viewing of the optic nerve head in 3-D at the slit lamp with the special lens)
The optic nerve is also known as the second cranial nerve. This nerve connects the eye to the brain, the main task of this nerve is to transmit visual information to the brain through the retina and converts the same into images.