Own perception of the disease
Glaucoma, also known as glaucoma, is an eye disease that can lead to a loss of optic nerve fibers and thus to a loss of visual function. Similar to diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure, the insidious thing is that those affected do not notice the consequences until very late. Central visual acuity remains unaffected for a long time, and initially unnoticed visual field defects develop, which most patients compensate for with the other eye. Unfortunately, many patients do not notice the limitations until the late stages of the disease.
Changes in vision in glaucoma
During the course of glaucoma, various changes in vision occur:
- Normal visual field : In the early stages, there are no visible symptoms. Central visual acuity is preserved and visual field defects are minimal and often unnoticed.
- Beginning visual field loss : Initial deficits in the peripheral visual field occur. These may go unnoticed because the other eye compensates.
- Glaucomatous visual field loss : The loss of visual field progresses and larger areas of the visual field are affected. At this stage, many patients first become aware of the limitations.
Prevention: Early detection is crucial
Once damage to the optic nerve has occurred, it cannot be reversed. It is therefore crucial to detect and treat the disease at an early stage, when there is as little damage to the patient's vision as possible. A preventive eye examination is recommended every two years from the age of 40. If there are risk factors - such as a family history or high myopia - it may be recommended earlier. In addition to measuring the eye pressure alone, the assessment of the optic nerve papilla is also crucial.
risk factor eye pressure
The most important known risk factor for the development of glaucoma is eye pressure. The level of eye pressure that the eye can tolerate without causing damage to the optic nerve varies greatly from individual to individual. The majority of patients with glaucoma have eye pressure that is higher than normal (10 to 21 mmHg). However, glaucoma can develop in up to a third of patients even when eye pressure is normal. This is referred to as normal-tension glaucoma.
Glaucoma types and their characteristics
Glaucoma is not a single disease. Rather, glaucoma is a collective term for various eye diseases in which the optic nerve is damaged. This can lead to visual impairment and loss of visual field, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. There are two main forms:
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Primary glaucoma :
- Primary open-angle glaucoma : The most common form in which the chamber angle is open but the drainage channels are blocked.
- Normal tension glaucoma : Glaucoma that occurs when eye pressure is normal.
- Primary angle-closure glaucoma and acute glaucoma attack : The chamber angle is narrow and sudden closure can lead to an acute glaucoma attack.
- Congenital glaucoma : A rare form that occurs in infants.
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Secondary glaucoma :
- Occurs as a result of other eye diseases, general illnesses, medical procedures, injuries or unwanted side effects of medications.
Glaucoma – Frequency and Age
About one to two percent of the population suffers from glaucoma. In western industrialized countries, glaucoma is one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness. Glaucoma can occur in anyone, but the incidence increases with age - in Caucasians especially from the age of 50, and in African Americans even earlier. From the age of 65, about two to four percent are affected.
causes and risk factors
The exact causes of the eye disease depend on the particular form of glaucoma. What all forms have in common is that it is a progressive (chronic) eye disease in which the optic nerve is increasingly and irreversibly damaged. This is usually caused by increased eye pressure, which occurs when the natural drainage of the aqueous humor in the chamber angle is disrupted.
Glaucoma | Ophthalmologist in Regensburg PD Dr. Isabel Oberacher-Kohlhäufl (augenarztpraxis-regensburg.de)
However, there are also other factors:
- Circulatory disorders : These can affect the optic nerve and the retina.
- Risk factors : age over 50 years, family history of glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, eye inflammation, cortisone treatments, short-sightedness and a thin cornea.
symptoms of glaucoma
Glaucoma initially has no noticeable symptoms and therefore often goes unnoticed in the early stages. Various symptoms can occur as the eye disease progresses:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma : Acutely increased eye pressure can lead to epithelial edema, causing affected individuals to see colored rings or halos around light sources. Visual field defects can occur later on.
- Glaucoma attack (acute glaucoma) : Typical symptoms are a red eye on one side, a hard eyeball when lightly pressed, an unresponsive, medium-sized pupil, eye pain and visual disturbances, as well as severe one-sided headaches, nausea and vomiting.
- Primary congenital glaucoma : This congenital disease is characterized by watery, light-sensitive eyes and cramped eyelids in infants.
- Secondary glaucoma : May be asymptomatic, but may also cause symptoms such as in primary open-angle glaucoma or in the case of an acute increase in pressure such as in a glaucoma attack.
Diagnosis of glaucoma
To accurately diagnose glaucoma, the ophthalmologist will perform various tests. These include a complete eye examination, measuring eye pressure (tonometry), examining the optic nerve, testing the visual field (perimetry) and examining the nerve fibers. In addition, the thickness of the cornea is often measured and the blood supply to the retina and around the optic nerve is checked.
Glaucoma: Prevention and Early Detection
It is not yet possible to directly prevent glaucoma. However, if risk factors are present, regular check-ups can help to detect the disease early and treat it in good time. Targeted treatment can slow or even stop the progression of the disease. Glaucoma screening is recommended for African-Americans and Latin Americans from the age of 40, and for Caucasians from the age of 50. It is important that not only the eye pressure is measured, but also that other tests are carried out.
Course and prognosis of glaucoma
The course of glaucoma depends on the form of the eye disease:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma : Progresses over years or decades, gradually damaging the optic nerve. Targeted treatment can slow or stop progression.
- Glaucoma attack (acute glaucoma) : If this is detected and treated in time, the chances of recovery are good. Otherwise, blindness may occur quickly.
- Congenital glaucoma : Early treatment can often prevent blindness, but impaired vision may occur despite treatment.
- Secondary glaucoma : The course varies depending on the cause and whether and how consistently the underlying cause is treated.
Sources:
- Glaucoma | Ophthalmologist in Regensburg PD Dr. Isabel Oberacher-Kohlhäufl (augenarztpraxis-regensburg.de)
- Glaucoma – USZ
Supportive therapy with NOMOADULT® GLAUKOM plus
A balanced treatment of glaucoma can be supported by the use of nutritional supplements. Our product NOMOADULT® GLAUKOM plus is one such preparation, which was specially developed to support eye health and to complement traditional glaucoma treatment. It contains special micronutrients that can help protect the optic nerve in many ways. These micronutrients can promote blood circulation in the eye and reduce the oxidative stress that occurs in glaucoma.
Ingredients:
- coenzyme Q10
- L-carnitine
- magnesium citrate
Here you can find our product: NOMOADULT® GLAUKOM plus – Nomosan Nutraceuticals
If you would like to learn more about the structure of the eye, click here: The eye: structure and function of one of the most important sensory organs – Nomosan Nutraceuticals
If you would like to learn more about other eye diseases, such as cataracts, click here: Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment – Nomosan Nutraceuticals
