Otkrыtougolynaya glaucoma – Hronicheskaya glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma (Chronic Glaucoma)

Description open-angle glaucoma

Glaucoma involves a group of eye diseases, leading to damage to the optic nerve. It is a degenerative eye disease is one of the leading causes of chronic blindness.

Otkrыtougolynaya glaucoma – the most common form of glaucoma. Inside the eye produces fluid, which is then drained into the surrounding tissue. If the development of the liquid too quickly (rarely) or draining it too slow, the pressure inside the eye may increase, which leads to damage to the optic nerve.

Damage to the optic nerve can lead to a decrease in peripheral vision and eventually to blindness.

The course and effects of open-angle glaucoma often can be controlled by proper treatment, and most patients can preserve vision.

Reasons for open-angle glaucoma

The exact cause of open-angle glaucoma is unknown. But, factors, which play a role in causing the disease include:

• Advanced age – Aging can lead to increased production of moisture in the eyes, or reduce its flow out of the eye.

Risk factors for open-angle glaucoma

Factors, which increase the risk of open-angle glaucoma:

• Family history of glaucoma;
• Glaucoma in one eye – It increases the risk of developing glaucoma in the other eye;
• Increased intraocular pressure;
• Diabetes;
• Eye injury;
• Some anomalies of the eye (eg, birth defects).

Symptoms of open-angle glaucoma

Many patients with open angle glaucoma little or no symptoms, until the disease has progressed to a very late stage. Visible symptoms may include:

• The loss of peripheral vision;
• Tunnel vision;
• Blindness.

Diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination.

Tests may include the following:

• Eye examination with pupil dilation;
• Tonometry – test to determine intraocular pressure;
• The test to determine the field of vision loss;
• Examination using a slit lamp;
• Taking pictures of the optic nerve;
• The study of the anterior chamber angle (UPK) eyes (Gonioscopy);
• Analysis of the nerve fiber layer around the optic nerve.

Treatment of open angle glaucoma

The goal of treatment is to reduce the intraocular pressure. Treatment options include open-angle glaucoma:

• Medicines – for lowering intraocular pressure are often used eyedrops, tablets;
• Laser treatment – It can be used to reduce intraocular pressure in some people;
• Surgery – surgery is performed, to open a new channel of outflow of fluid from the eye.

Prevention of open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma can not be prevented, but treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss. Since most people have no symptoms of having glaucoma, Regular eye examinations are extremely important, since early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.