High Eye Pressure (Glaucoma)

Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease progressing with high intraocular pressure and resulting in damage to the optic nerve. (Normal intraocular pressure is 10-22 mmHg.) Unfortunately, glaucoma may progress for a long time without presenting any symptom and it is usually detected during the routine ophthalmologic examination.

In time, the optic nerve begins to suffer irreversible damage, the level of vision decreases and the visual field begins to decrease due to the high intraocular pressure.

In the clinical picture defined as acute glaucoma crisis, the intraocular pressure increases to very high levels and may cause the symptoms such as intense eye pain, eye redness, vision of colored rings and even nausea and vomiting. Early diagnosis is crucial for the glaucoma. The diagnosis for glaucoma may be easily made via a detailed ophthalmologic examination. The analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layer, the analysis of the retinal ganglion cell layer and the visual field tests, as necessary, are the eye tests applied to the patient, which are important for diagnosis and follow-up.

These are rather simple tests able to be performed within a short time. By means of early diagnosis and correct treatment, the glaucoma-associated optic nerve damage may be prevented.

While the treatment for glaucoma requires emergency medical treatment in the acute phase, the treatment during the chronic phase is shaped according to the mechanism for the development of the disease. The laser interventions, the use of the eye pressure-reducing medicaments and the performed of the surgical intervention where necessary are the methods generally employed for treating the disease. It should be kept in mind that the glaucoma patients are the persons who need regular follow-up at the intervals to be determined by the physician.

ASSOC. PROF. M. NECATİ DEMİR