Screening

Glaucoma screening is essential for early detection and management of this progressive eye disease, which can lead to irreversible vision loss. Given that many individuals with glaucoma are asymptomatic in the early stages, regular screening is crucial, particularly for those at higher risk, such as individuals with a family history of the disease or certain ethnic backgrounds.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma symptoms can be subtle and may not appear until significant damage has occurred. Common signs include:

• Gradual loss of peripheral vision
• Tunnel vision in advanced stages
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain (more common in angle-closure glaucoma)
• Nausea and vomiting (in acute cases)
• Halos around lights.

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection, as many individuals may not notice symptoms until substantial vision loss has occurred.

Treatment

Management of glaucoma is primarily focused on preserving vision and preventing further optic nerve damage. Treatment options vary based on the type and severity of the condition, but they typically include prescription eye drops, laser therapy, and surgical interventions.

Prescription eye drops are often the first line of treatment for glaucoma. These medications work by either decreasing the production of fluid in the eye or enhancing its drainage, thereby lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). Regular use of these drops is crucial, as they help prevent further vision loss, although they cannot restore any sight that has already been lost.

Laser therapy is another effective treatment option. Procedures such as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) are commonly used for open-angle glaucoma, while Laser Peripheral Iridotomy is employed for angle-closure glaucoma. These laser treatments aim to improve fluid drainage from the eye, which can provide significant relief from elevated IOP.

When medications and laser treatments fail to adequately control intraocular pressure (IOP), surgical intervention may be required. Surgical options range from traditional methods like trabeculectomy, which establishes a new drainage route for fluid, to minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), which use small devices to enhance fluid outflow. In some cases, cataract removal can also aid in improving fluid drainage, particularly for specific types of glaucoma.