Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). It’s a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Canada, affecting over 400,000 Canadians. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent or slow down vision loss.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often linked to elevated IOP resulting from fluid buildup in the eye. The types of glaucoma include:
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
This is the most common form of glaucoma, affecting about 90 per cent of glaucoma patients. Fluid drains slowly, increasing IOP. It’s often asymptomatic until significant vision loss occurs.
Angle-closure Glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma is less common, but more urgent. Here, a sudden blockage in the fluid drainage leads to a rapid IOP increase, requiring immediate medical attention.
Normal-tension Glaucoma
In normal-tension glaucoma, optic nerve damage occurs despite normal IOP levels. Possible causes could include optic nerve sensitivity or reduced blood flow.
Congenital Glaucoma
Congenital glaucoma affects infants and young children and symptoms can include enlarged/cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, and sensitivity to light. Early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss.
Pigmentary Glaucoma
Pigment granules from the iris clog drainage channels in pigmentary glaucoma. It’s more common in young, nearsighted males and symptoms can include blurred vision, halos and peripheral vision loss.
Secondary Glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma results from another medical condition or eye injury, and can be caused by eye trauma, inflammation, steroid use, advanced cataracts or diabetes.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Regular eye exams are vital, as early stages often lack symptoms. Diagnostic tests include:
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Visual Acuity Test: Measures clarity of vision.
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Visual Field Test: Assesses peripheral vision.
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Dilated Eye Exam: Examines optic nerve for damage.
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Tonometry: Measures IOP.
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Pachymetry: Measures corneal thickness.
Treatments can include:
- Medicated eye drops that help enhance fluid drainage and/or reduce fluid production.
- Laser therapy can be used to open drainage channels to lower IOP. These are performed in-office and require minimal recovery time.
- Surgical procedures can also be undertaken to create new drainage pathways.
Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Vision Loss
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, it is important to practice healthy habits to protect your vision.
- Monitor vision changes. Pay attention to new changes in your vision. If you experience sudden eye pain or vision loss, call your eye doctor immediately, or go to your nearest emergency department.
- Schedule appointments. Book regular appointments with your eye doctor to keep track of any changes in your vision and check your intraocular pressure.
- Take your medication. Take all your prescribed medication, including medicated eye drops, as instructed by your doctor.
- Practice a healthy lifestyle. Practice healthy habits like eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. Maintain a healthy blood pressure. If you smoke, consider quitting.
- Educate yourself. Learn about your condition, symptoms, and treatment. The more you know, the more confidence you will have in managing your glaucoma.
Resources and Support
- Health Information Line: FBC offers a dedicated line to answer questions about eye health, genetic testing, and available treatments at 1.888.626.2995 or at healthinfo@fightingblindness.ca.
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Educational Events: Participate in webinars and in-person conferences to learn about the latest research and connect with others living with vision loss.
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Fundraising: Get involved in initiatives to raise awareness and support for vision research.
- Research News: Read our Research News for updates on research, treatments and clinical trials.
Glaucoma in Research & Practice
Learn about research into optic nerve regeneration and view a glaucoma specialist answers audience questions about living with this condition.
Help Support Research & Education Programs
FBC is dedicated to supporting research into blinding eye disease, including inherited retinal diseases. We also help provide education and connection programs for people living with vision loss so they can learn about their disease, find out about the latest research and connect with others facing similar challenges. Help us make a difference.
Join the Fight!
Learn how your support is helping to bring a future without blindness into focus! Be the first to learn about the latest breakthroughs in vision research and events in your community by subscribing to our e-newsletter that lands in inboxes the beginning of each month.
