Glaucoma Chronic Disease

If you are suffering from glaucoma, book an appointment with the eye specialists at personalEYES. We provide comprehensive glaucoma treatment that can help stop the progression of the disease and support long-term vision health. Understanding glaucoma disease symptoms, causes, and treatment options is the first step toward managing this condition effectively.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that leads to the slow destruction of the optic nerve at the back of the eye. This damage causes gradual vision loss. In most cases, early peripheral vision loss goes unnoticed. This is why glaucoma is known as the “sneak thief of sight”.

Globally, early glaucoma diagnosis is challenging because most people do not develop noticeable symptoms until the disease is advanced. In Australia, almost half of the affected individuals remain undiagnosed. Glaucoma damage is irreversible, so detecting it early through proper glaucoma diagnosis criteria is essential.

Glaucoma Causes and Risk Factors

More than 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. While age is a major factor, glaucoma can occur at any time of life. Glaucoma causes include:

• Elevated intraocular pressure
• Poor drainage of fluid inside the eye
• Eye inflammation
• Previous eye injuries
• Cataracts or other structural issues
• Genetic predisposition

As people age, the proportion of glaucoma cases rises. One in eight Australians over 80 will develop glaucoma. Understanding glaucoma disease symptoms such as peripheral vision loss, eye pain, redness, and blurred vision can help patients seek early evaluation.

What are the 5 Types of Glaucoma?

The most recognised forms of glaucoma include:

Chronic (Primary Open-Angle) Glaucoma

The most common form. The eye appears structurally normal, but intraocular pressure may be elevated. This gradually affects peripheral vision.

Acute (Angle-Closure) Glaucoma

This occurs when the iris blocks fluid drainage. Symptoms include severe pain, redness, nausea, and blurred vision. This is a medical emergency. Prompt laser treatment often prevents permanent damage.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Normal-tension glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that damages the optic nerve even though your eye pressure is within the normal range. It behaves like open-angle glaucoma but without the usual high pressure.

Doctors are not sure why this type of glaucoma occurs. However, studies show that lowering eye pressure with medicines, laser treatment, or surgery can slow the disease and help protect your vision.

Congenital Glaucoma

A rare condition present at birth or shortly after. Infants may exhibit enlarged or cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, and light sensitivity.

Secondary Glaucoma

Develops due to other eye conditions such as inflammation, injuries, or cataracts. Treatment targets both the pressure and the underlying cause.

These categories fall under the broader types of glaucoma recognised in clinical practice:

1. Neovascular Glaucoma
Happens when abnormal blood vessels grow over the eye’s drainage area. This blocks fluid from draining, causing very high eye pressure. Often linked to diabetes or blocked blood vessels in the retina.

2. Uveitic (Inflammatory) Glaucoma
Caused by inflammation inside the eye (uveitis). Swelling can block drainage channels or raise eye pressure. Some steroid eye drops used to treat inflammation may also increase pressure.

3. Traumatic Glaucoma
Results from an eye injury. Trauma can damage drainage structures, causing pressure to rise immediately or even years later.

4. Pigmentary Glaucoma
Happens when pigment flakes from the iris clog the drainage system. More common in young to middle-aged adults and often found in people who are very active or near-sighted.

5. Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
Caused by flaky, dandruff-like material that builds up in the eye and blocks fluid drainage. It progresses faster than typical open-angle glaucoma.

Glaucoma Symptoms and Treatment

A proper glaucoma diagnosis involves optic nerve examination, visual field testing, and measurement of intraocular pressure. Eye specialists use strict glaucoma diagnosis criteria to detect early changes, even before symptoms appear.

Glaucoma medication, such as pressure-lowering eye drops, is usually the first-line treatment. Laser therapy and surgical options may also be recommended depending on the severity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Glaucoma

What is usually the first sign of glaucoma?

Most people do not notice early symptoms, but the first sign is often the gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision. Because this happens slowly, many people do not realise it until the disease is advanced.

What are common glaucoma disease symptoms?

Symptoms depend on the type of glaucoma. Chronic glaucoma often has no early signs, while acute glaucoma may cause severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, nausea, or sudden vision changes.

Is glaucoma hereditary?

Yes. Having a parent or sibling with glaucoma increases your risk by up to eight times. Regular eye checks are recommended if glaucoma runs in your family.

What causes glaucoma?

Glaucoma causes include elevated eye pressure, poor fluid drainage, inflammation, eye injuries, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

A glaucoma diagnosis involves several tests, including eye pressure measurement, optic nerve examination, visual field testing, and imaging scans. Specialists follow strict glaucoma diagnosis criteria to confirm the condition.

Can glaucoma be cured?

Is glaucoma curable? No. Unfortunately, optic nerve damage cannot be reversed. However, early treatment can slow or stop further vision loss.

How to prevent glaucoma?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent glaucoma. Still, you can reduce your risk by having regular eye exams, managing diabetes and blood pressure, avoiding eye injuries, and using prescribed medication correctly.

Is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) related to glaucoma?

AMD and glaucoma affect different parts of the eye and do not cause each other. AMD damages the macula and affects central vision, while glaucoma damages the optic nerve and affects peripheral vision. They can occur in the same person because both become more common with age.

What treatments are available for late-stage dry AMD (geographic atrophy)?

Late-stage dry AMD, also called geographic atrophy, leads to a gradual loss of retinal cells and central vision. New FDA-approved treatments such as Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) can slow this cell loss, but they do not restore vision. For more advanced cases, vision aids like telescopic implants and specialised magnifiers can help patients maximise their remaining sight.

Prevention and Long-Term Care

While the disease cannot always be avoided, regular eye examinations greatly reduce the risk of undiagnosed progression. Managing systemic conditions like diabetes, protecting the eyes from injury, and following prescribed glaucoma medication help maintain long-term stability.

Get in touch with the eye specialists at personalEYES today to discuss your options for glaucoma treatment. Make a booking online, or call us on 1300 68 3937.