Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by the blockage of the circulation of the Aqueous Humor, leading to abnormally high pressure inside the eyeball that damages the optic nerve, and results in permanent loss of vision. This loss usually starts from the outer edge and, without treatment, the field of vision gradually narrows down until it leads to blindness.
Causes of Glaucoma
-
Primary Glaucoma is a type of glaucoma with an unknown cause.
-
Secondary Glaucoma is due to other causes.
-
A type of glaucoma with a definite cause, such as other eye diseases including eye inflammation, tumors in the eyeball, etc.
-
Use of certain medications, such as long-term use of eye drops containing steroids.
Groups at Risk of Glaucoma
-
Older individuals are more at risk than younger ones (age 40 and up).
-
People with high intraocular pressure (pressure above 20 mmHg).
-
Having family members or relatives with glaucoma.
-
Having severe myopia or hyperopia.
-
Patients with diabetes.
-
Patients with heart disease and high blood pressure.
-
Abnormalities in blood and blood vessels.
-
Other factors such as patients using steroid medications, severe accident victims, etc.
-
Occupations or activities that increase eye pressure, such as flute musicians, divers, etc.
