Steroid glaucoma is a disease leading to blindness

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease. During the course of the disease, optic nerve damage progresses, which can lead to blindness. Steroid glaucoma develops as a result of steroid hormone therapy. It is characterized by the same course and symptoms as for other types of glaucoma( secondary, neovascular, congenital, pigmented, etc.).

This is important! The growing relevance of the problem of steroid glaucoma is associated with the emergence of new therapies associated with intravitreal administration of corticosteroids. Also affects the spread of microsurgery, when the recovery period after surgery involves the active use of corticosteroids.

Why and how the disease occurs

A healthy eye has a constant intraocular pressure due to a balance of inflow and outflow of fluid. With glaucoma, the circulation of the fluid is disturbed, because of which the fluid accumulates and the intraocular pressure begins to increase. This affects the normal blood supply and innervation of the eye.

At the beginning of the disease, the patient simply begins to see worse. Then problems with peripheral vision begin, the zone of visibility is considerably limited. Soon blindness may develop.

This is important! Glaucoma is one of the most common diseases that lead to blindness. Even with the timely and proper treatment, 10% of patients still lose sight

It should be noted that peripheral vision disorders and other consequences of the disease are irreversible. Therefore, it is important to begin treatment as early as possible in order to try to stop the process.

The main symptoms are not only the deterioration of vision

Depending on the type of disease, the symptoms may vary. But, in most cases, there is a gradual decrease in vision, constant pain in the eyes and head. The patient may also have nausea or vomiting. Some symptoms manifest quickly, others can develop even for several years.

Some statistics

This disease affects 1-2% of people over the age of forty. In the study, the reasons for the development of the disease were not taken into account, so, steroid glaucoma is also included in this percentage. About 25% of cases are unidentified. If the disease appeared at the age of 40-45 years, then without treatment, by the age of 65 the patient can completely lose sight.

Treatment: medical or surgical

To diagnose this disease, it is best to visit the oculist at least once a year and check your vision. If the disease has been identified, it must be treated promptly. There may be several options for treatment.

Medication

During the treatment process, the doctor prescribes medications to reduce intraocular pressure. Also, drugs help prevent damage to the optic nerve. Usually medicines are in the form of tablets or eye drops

When instilling eyes, it is worth considering:

• All the directions of a doctor;
• You should wash your hands before the procedure;
• Eye drops should be stored out of the reach of children;
• The tip of the vial with droplets should not accidentally touch the eyes;
• If you need to drip your eyes with several drugs, then before each procedure should be at least a five-minute break;

Surgical

Laser treatment of this disease is widely used. A beam of light rays that emits a laser forms a small hole in the eye tissues. Thus, the eye receives additional ways to drain the intraocular fluid. The operation is non-traumatic and is performed on an outpatient basis.

If the laser does not help, the doctor can prescribe a microsurgical operation. In the white part of the eyeball, a small hole is made, which will help the fluid flow away from the eyeball, resulting in a decrease in pressure.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the eyeball, which can lead to complete blindness. It is important timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease, while with the eye there were irreversible changes.