Ambulantná terapia 1/2009

Glaucoma – green cataract

Glaucoma is disease which often leads to damage of the optic nerve head in older people. Most often form is open angle glaucoma. Major risk factor is high intraocular pressure, other risks are cardiovascular diseases, vasospasm with Raynand´s phenomenon, migraine, hypotension, myopia. Diagnosis of glaucoma is confirmed after ophthalomological examination tonometry, visual field, examination of a optic nerve head. Optic nerve head can be more detail examinated with OCT, HRT or retinal nerve fiber layer analyser (GDX). The treatment of glaucoma should be early before irreversible changes that lead to diminishing of vision. In majority of patients topical treatment with drops (can be divided to 6 categories) is sufficient. In cases where topical treatment has failed surgical treatment is indicated. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of glaucoma is the best protection of the optic nerve from glaucoma damage.

Keywords: primary glaucoma, intraocular pressure, glaucomatous excavation, prostaglandines, betablockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, parasympathomimetics