When the optic nerve of the eye gets damaged in a characteristic pattern, its known as glaucoma. This damage to the optic nerve causes visual impairment in the eye and may lead to blindness, if not treated properly. Glaucoma is normally associated with the increased intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. Glaucoma may be congenital and developmental, primary or secondary.

The congenital type is associated with the abnormal intraocular pressure due to the developmental abnormalities of the angle of the interior chamber causing obstruction to the drainage of the aqueous humor.

The primary type can be an open angle or the angle closure type. In the open type of primary glaucoma, there is an obvious systemic or local or ocular cause of rise in intraocular pressure whereas in the closure type of primary glaucoma, the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked and the intraocular pressure goes up very fast.

Symptoms of glaucoma
Different types of glaucoma present different symptoms, which help in diagnosing the condition correctly. Congenital glaucoma is characterized by photophobia, lachrymation, corneal edema, optic disc cupping and tear of the Descemet’s membrane.

Primary open angle glaucoma shows visual field defect, raised intraocular pressure and optic disc changes whereas primary angle closure glaucoma is represented by severe pain in one eye, red eyes, decreased or cloudy vision, nausea and vomiting, corneal oedema, halos around light, atrophy of the iris, fixed mid-dilated pupils, changes in the optic disk and a very high intraocular pressure (more than 30 mm of Hg).

Secondary glaucoma may be caused due to an eye injury, inflammation i.e. uveitic glaucoma, steroid induced deposition of flakes of material at the edge of the pupil, pigment granules, new blood vessel growth on the iris and in the drainage angle or it may be found secondary to benign cysts or malignant tumors of the eye.

Treatment options for glaucoma
The choice of treatment for glaucoma varies according to the various types of the disease. The focus of the treatment for the congenital type of glaucoma is to lower intraocular pressure by using hyperosmotic agents such as acetazolamide and beta blockers. It can also be managed by various surgical options such as craniotomy, trabeculectomy, goniotomy, and febulectomy combined with trabeculectomy.

Primary glaucoma can also be managed by either using medications as well as by various surgeries. The medical treatment includes intake of myotic agents such as pilocarpine, topical beta blockers, prostaglandin analogs, alpha 2 adrenergic drugs and by using topical and oral carbonic and hydrase inhibitors. In the surgical line of treatment for primary type glaucoma, diodes laser tabeculopathy, Iridotomy, trabeculectomy, cyclocryotherapy, artificial drainage shunt operation, canaloplasty and laser-assisted non penetrating deep sclerectomy can be performed.

Glaucoma is a disease if left untreated might result in permanent blindness, hence, it should be treated with a suitable treatment option as soon as possible.