Glaucoma: The Silent Eye Disease That Can Damage Your Vision

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a type of vision disorder caused by damage to the optic nerve due to high intraocular pressure. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the retina to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, the signals that convey what you see to the brain are disrupted, which can eventually lead to narrowing of the visual field and loss of vision.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

The symptoms of glaucoma can vary depending on the type, but some common symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Red eyes
• Seeing halos around lights
• Loss of peripheral (side) vision

In the early stages, glaucoma often does not show obvious symptoms, so it's important to have regular eye examinations.

Causes of Glaucoma

The main cause of glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure, which can occur due to:

• Excessive production of eye fluid
• Blocked drainage channels for eye fluid
• Genetic factors or family history
• Eye injuries or severe eye infections

Treatment of Glaucoma

The treatment of glaucoma aims to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Some treatment methods include:

• Eye drops
• Oral medications
• Surgical procedures
• Laser therapy

Prevention of Glaucoma

Although glaucoma cannot always be prevented, there are several steps that can be taken to maintain eye health:

• Have regular eye examinations
• Consume foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C
• Avoid excessive caffeine consumption
• Exercise regularly and get enough rest

References:

1. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia - Kenali Galukoma Si Pencuri Penglihatan

2. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia - Apa Itu Galukoma?

3. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia - Kenali Gejala Serta Tips Mencegah Glaukoma di Usia Muda

4. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia - Faktor Risiko Glaukoma