Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of chronic eye diseases, which are characterized by damage to the optic nerve.

Primary open-angle glaucoma as well as exfoliative glaucoma are the two most common types of glaucoma observed in Greece.

The common feature in most types of glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure, which is not related to blood pressure. However, it happens that people with normal intraocular pressure have lost their vision due to glaucoma.

In glaucoma the drainage of the aqueous humor, which is constantly produced to provide the necessary nutrients to the lens of the eye and cornea, is obstructed. This results in the aqueous humor accumulating and the intraocular pressure increasing. Intraocular pressure (normal value up to 21mmHg) presses on the optic nerve injuring its fibers. Initially, the nerve fibers located on the periphery are affected, so that peripheral vision is lost, and at a later stage the central fibers are affected, resulting in limited or even completely lost central vision.

The loss of both vision and visual field is irreversible.

Another cause of partial or total loss of vision is the blockage of small vessels that nourish the optic nerve and retina.

Glaucoma is treated with eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist to lower intraocular pressure. If the drops don’t bring the pressure under control, the ophthalmologist will decide whether surgery is needed to create an alternative drainage pathway for the aqueous humor. Alongside medical treatment, the use of specially made glasses for glaucoma is recommended. Daily training of glaucomatous eyes with these special glasses gives the optic nerve clear visual stimuli and helps support glaucoma patients in their everyday activities.