Glaucoma

Question 1

What is Glaucoma?

Answer 1

Glaucoma is an eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, becomes damaged.

Question 2

What is makes you at risk of glaucoma?

Answer 2

your age – glaucoma becomes more likely as you get older and the most common type affects around 1 in 10 people over 75
your ethnicity – people of African, Caribbean or Asian origin are at a higher risk of glaucoma
your family history – you’re more likely to develop glaucoma if you have a parent or sibling with the condition

Question 3

How do we monitor Glaucoma in patients?

Answer 3

Eye tests

Question 4

What might the patients care needs consist of?

Answer 4

Eye check ups
Eye drops
Vison aids like bright coloured tape for stairs and

Question 5

What is the cause of Glaucoma?

Answer 5

a build-up of deposits in the drainage tubes in the eye – a common example is a condition called pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
new blood vessels growing inside the eye that block the drainage of fluid
uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye)
long-term use of steroid eye drops
eye injuries or previous eye surgery
a problem with the way the eyes developed – this can cause glaucoma in babies and young children