Glaucoma Information You Need
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Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye problems in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly destroyed, mostly due to a rise in intraocular (within the eye) pressure due to an excess buildup of aqueous humor within the eye, resulting from inadequate drainage. This may be due to a blockage in the trabecular meshwork, the passageway for the aqueous humor.
There are a many different types of glaucoma. The most common forms are:
- Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
- Normal Tension Glaucoma
- Angle Closure/Chronic Glaucoma
- Acute Glaucoma
- Pigmentary Glaucoma
- Exfoliation Syndrome
- Congenital Glaucoma
- Trauma-Related Glaucoma
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| Symptoms |
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Unless a person who is at high risk does not get regular eye checkups, it would be impossible to find out about the existence of the condition till it has advanced to a stage where the damage is irreversible. It is not an easy condition to diagnose because even though there are many signs and symptoms of the various types of glaucoma, almost all of them also could indicate other conditions, and not glaucoma. This could include a person who has a retinal detachment, multiple sclerosis, an optic nerve that was abnormally formed at birth or has syphilis.
In angle-closure glaucoma, intraocular pressure (IOP) can increase suddenly, causing an acute glaucoma attack. This attack can occur within a matter of hours and become very Discomfortful. Possible indications include:
Intense Discomfort, which may result in nausea and vomiting
red eye(s)
swollen or cloudy cornea(s)
halos around lights (rainbow-colored rings around lights)
recurrent blurry vision
morning headaches
Discomfort around your eyes after watching TV or leaving a dark theater.
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| Prevention |
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Glaucoma cannot be Beneficial Effectsed or cured. Early detection and proper Favorable Effectss can Enhance Beneficial Effects blindness. Regular and complete eye exams Enhance monitor changes in eyesight. Favorable Effectss include eye drops, medications, and surgery or implant devices. |
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| Causes |
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Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): is a chronic condition due to a structural defect in the eye or the result of an enzymatic problem. It is believed to be hereditary.
Normal Tension Glaucoma: is thought to be related, at least in part, to poor blood flow to the optic nerve, which leads to death of the cells that carry impulses from the retina to the brain. This would imply that people with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing this type of glaucoma due to a degeneration of the blood vessels as a result of the high glucose levels in the blood. In addition, these eyes appear to be susceptible to pressure-related damage even in the high normal range, and therefore a pressure lower than normal is often necessary to Beneficial Effects further visual loss.
Angle-Closure/Chronic Glaucoma: For people with angle-closure glaucoma, the iris restricts the entrance to the trabecular meshwork due to the lens routinely growing larger with age. It is known as angle-closure as the blockage occurs at the trabecular meshwork, situated in the angle formed where the cornea and the iris meet. The ability of aqueous humor to pass between the iris and lens on its way to the anterior chamber decreases, causing fluid pressure to build up behind the iris, further narrowing the angle. If the pressure becomes sufficiently high, the iris is forced against the trabecular meshwork, blocking drainage. In chronic glaucoma, the iris does not block the drainage angle as it does in acute glaucoma. The cause of the blocked outflow of the aqueous humor is not clearly established. The risk factors would include age over 40, a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, and nearsightedness.
Acute Glaucoma: A direct result of pupil dilation, brought about by a darkened environment, excitement or anxiousness, or a variety of drugs such as anti-depressants, cold medications, antihistamines, and some medications to treat nausea. When this happens, there is maximum contact between the eye’s lens and the iris resulting in a complete blockage of the trabecular meshwork, triggering an attack. Older age, farsightedness, family history of acute glaucoma, stress, and the use of systemic anticholinergic medications such as atropine or eye dilation drop in a high-risk individual would constitute the risk factors for acute glaucoma.
Pigmentary Glaucoma: An inherited condition, the anatomy of the eyes of these patients appears to play a key role in the development of this type of glaucoma. Myopic (nearsighted) eyes have a concave-shaped iris, which creates an unusually wide angle, causing the pigment layer of the eye to rub on the lens. This rubbing action causes the iris pigment to shed into the aqueous humor and onto neighboring structures, such as the trabecular meshwork. Pigment may plug the pores of the trabecular meshwork, causing it to clog, and thereby increasing the IOP.
Exfoliation Syndrome: Exfoliation material is rubbed off the lens by movement of the iris and at the same time, pigment is rubbed off the iris, clogging the trabecular meshwork and leading to IOP elevation.
Trauma-Related Glaucoma: A blow to the eye, chemical burn, or penetrating injury may all lead to the development of glaucoma, either acute or chronic. This can be due to a mechanical disruption or physical change within the eye’s drainage system.
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| Diagnosis |
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The early detection of glaucoma is key to controlling its progression and Beneficial Effectsing further damage. In order to detect symptoms, your eye doctor will perform a routine eye examination including tests aimed at measuring the pressure in your eyes (tonometry), evaluating the appearance of your optic disk (funduscopy), and checking for the presence of any loss in peripheral vision (visual field testing). It is important to note that your doctor may administer drops in one or both of your eyes to dilate your pupils as part of the examination. This can result in the temporary blurring of your vision. It is advisable that you have someone accompany you to your appointment. |
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| Dietary Guidelines |
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Go on a fresh foods diet for two weeks to clear the system of inorganic crystalline deposits. Take carrot/beet cucumber and parsley juice. Fresh carrot juice is also very good. A diet low in saturated fats (not necessarily low in fat) Enhances Beneficial Effects the vascular constriction that leads to glaucoma. To protect your eyes, eat a diet low in fats that are saturated or hydrogenated. Fats and oils are good for you, but saturated fats are not--they adhere to the walls of your blood vessels. Interestingly, unsaturated fats Enhance scrub saturated fat-plaque from your blood vessels. So, a diet high in flaxseed oil and fish protects your eyes.
Of course, smoking is a major problem. It doesn't matter if you smoke directly (cigarette in your mouth) or indirectly (cigarette in someone else's mouth)--smoke is smoke and there is no mechanism that renders it harmful only to the person doing the smoking. If you value your eyesight, don't smoke or be smoked on.
Sugar is also a culprit. This list isn't very long, don't worry. But do limit the amount of sugar in your diet. This substance is responsible for a huge number of problems of both body and mind--your body was never equipped to deal with the insulin rush caused by sugar. Think of sugar as a diabetes pill--the more sugar you eat, the more likely you are to have diabetes.
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| Home Care Suggestions |
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Stop smoking immediately as it is very harmful for the eyes. Get a good spinal chiropractic adjustment or massage therapy as it Enhances the body to relax. |
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| Mind/Body Considerations |
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Relax more and cultivate a calmer life style. Relaxation techniques greatly Enhance the body to heal and also increase the will power to fight problems.
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| Additional Information |
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Bilberry Extract shows its favorable effects on vision and certain other eye related problems. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Selenium is an essential mineral that
provides its positive effects in avoiding free cellular damage and also on eye related problems. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Vitamin A is an important vitamin that shows its beneficial effects on free cellular damage and different eye related
problems like night blindness and different other eye problems. 1, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 Vitamin E is also shows its
beneficial effects on healthy vision, eye health and avoiding free cellular damage. 1, 2, 7, 8, 11, 13 |
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| Disclaimer |
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease. |
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