Elevated ocular pressure and glaucoma
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition that is the result of excessively high eye pressure, which damages the optical nerve. Increased eye pressure occurs if the fluid produced in the eye to nourish the cornea and the lens is not able to drain away properly. If the drainage of fluid doesn’t work properly, the pressure in your eye will increase. That is why it is important to have your ophthalmologist measure your eye pressure every few years after the age of 40.
Symptoms of glaucoma
Chronic glaucoma
- Your field of vision gradually reduces.
- At a more advanced stage, your visual acuity also decreases.
- Blind spots will emerge in your field of vision, often without you even realising it.
Acute glaucoma
- Your eyes become painful, red and dull.
- Your vision becomes blurred.
- You get headaches, dizziness and nausea.
Treatment of glaucoma
It is important to have your eye pressure measured regularly by your eye doctor, and to have a check-up of your optical nerve, in order to detect glaucoma early. In the event of symptoms of glaucoma, it is important to take quick action since occurred damage to the nerve cells cannot be repaired. The emphasis of glaucoma treatment is on lowering the eye pressure. This can be done with a laser treatment, eye drops or, in exceptional cases, an eye operation.
The treatment of glaucoma is aimed at keeping the eye pressure low permanently. Glaucoma is unfortunately incurable and damage that has already been caused cannot be repaired. That is why it is important for glaucoma to be diagnosed early, so that it can be treated appropriately. Regular check-ups are therefore important.
What treatments do we offer?
- Eye drops
- Microstent
- Glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy)
In this procedure, carried out under topical (with drops) anaesthesia a small opening is made in the white part of the eye, so that fluid can drain away. This will reduce eye pressure considerably.
How much does glaucoma treatment cost?
The cost of this treatment varies and depends on the approach selected and the seriousness of the glaucoma. During the consultation, we will explain the costs of your specific treatment. This treatment is covered by medical insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is glaucoma and how does it develop?
Chronic glaucoma is a progressive and often silent eye condition in which the optic nerve gradually becomes damaged due to increased pressure inside the eye. As we age, the balance between the production and drainage of the eye’s fluid can become disrupted, causing eye pressure to rise. In Belgium, approximately 2% of people over the age of 40 are affected by glaucoma. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma and how can you recognize it?
In its early stages, glaucoma usually causes no symptoms at all: no pain, no redness, and no noticeable decline in vision. As a result, the condition remains undetected for a long time in 50% to 70% of patients. The only reliable way to detect glaucoma early is to have your eye pressure checked by an ophthalmologist every two years. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through a combination of several examinations.
When is eye pressure considered too high and what are the symptoms of high eye pressure?
Eye pressure is considered elevated when it exceeds 21 mmHg, while the normal range is between 12 and 21 mmHg. The challenge is that high eye pressure usually causes no warning signs. You do not feel any discomfort, while the condition may continue to progress. Elevated eye pressure is the most important risk factor for glaucoma. Other risk factors include increasing age, a family history of glaucoma, severe nearsightedness or farsightedness, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
How is glaucoma treated and can it be cured?
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but its progression can be slowed by lowering eye pressure. At Brussels Eye Doctors, our preferred treatment is dSLT laser therapy, a non-contact laser procedure that improves the drainage of fluid from the eye. Only 10% of patients require a repeat treatment after 3 to 5 years. If laser treatment does not provide sufficient results, eye drops or a micro-stent may be recommended.
Is glaucoma hereditary and can it be prevented?
Yes, glaucoma can have a hereditary component. If glaucoma runs in your family, Brussels Eye Doctors recommends annual eye examinations from the age of 40 onwards. Early detection is crucial because damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed. The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the greater the chance of preventing further vision loss.