Glaucoma refers to a progressive optic neuropathy that can lead to visual field defect, vision impairment, and, in severe cases, blindness. Individuals aged 45 and above, those with hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, those with cardiovascular conditions, those with a family history of glaucoma, those with intraocular pressure higher than normal, and those with severe myopia have a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Therefore, regular check-ups are essential to prevent glaucoma.
Classification and Symptoms
Glaucoma can be classified into open-angle glaucoma, closed-angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and primary congenital glaucoma based on the underlying causes.
| Open-angle Glaucoma |
It progresses more rapidly than normal-tension glaucoma, and since there are barely any early symptoms, it is often discovered late. |
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| Closed-angle Glaucoma |
It typically manifests acutely, and a rapid increase in intraocular pressure due to the blockage of aqueous humor outflow leads to symptoms such as visual impairment, eye pain, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. |
| Normal-tension Glaucoma |
It is a type of glaucoma that occurs when the intraocular pressure is below 21mmHg, which is normal. In this case, even if the intraocular pressure is within the normal range, it is essential to lower it below the baseline to delay the progression of glaucoma. |
| Secondary Glaucoma |
It refers to the secondary occurrence of glaucoma due to complications from other diseases such as cataracts, inflammation, eye trauma, diabetes, etc. The treatment of the underlying condition causing glaucoma is required. |
| Primary Congenital Glaucoma |
It occurs when the aqueous humor outflow pathway in the eye is not properly formed during the fetal development stage. If there are symptoms such as large corneal diameter, eye discomfort, or excessive tearing in infants, it is necessary to undergo an examination. |
Diagnosis
It is diagnosed through visual acuity test and tonometry, refraction, axial length measurement, ultrasound pachymetry, gonioscopy, optic nerve examination
(optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer imaging, optical coherence tomography), and visual field testing.
Treatment
Glaucoma is a condition that is difficult to fully cure. However, if it is detected in the early stage before it further progresses and properly treated, blindness can be prevented.
The primary goal of treatment is to lower intraocular pressure, and since the condition varies for each individual, a combination of medication, laser treatment, and surgical treatment may be employed accordingly.
Medication
After thorough consultation to accurately understand the individual's underlying conditions, primary treatment can involve prescribing eye drops and medications taken orally.
In cases where the drug response is somewhat weak or side effects occur, medication may be replaced accordingly.
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Understanding the patient's underlying
conditions through consultation -
Prescribing eye drops and
medications taken orally
Laser Treatment
Laser treatments such as selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser peripheral iridotomy can stimulate the function of the aqueous humor outflow pathway.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy : This procedure is performed in cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma when rapid reduction of intraocular pressure is necessary, or in chronic angle-closure glaucoma to promote long-term pressure stability.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty : It is used when eye drops alone are insufficient in reducing intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or when there are side effects from eye drops.
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Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
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Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Surgical Treatment
If medications or laser treatments fail to show effectiveness in controlling intraocular pressure, surgical treatments such as trabeculectomy,
Ahmed valve implantation, and XEN Stent can be considered. However, achieving recovery is challenging if significant optic nerve damage has already occurred.
Trabeculectomy : It is a surgical procedure that creates a new outflow pathway to facilitate effective drainage of aqueous humor inside the eye.
Ahmed Valve Implantation & XEN Stent : These are surgical procedures that involve inserting a tube into the eyes to promote proper outflow of aqueous humor.
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Trabeculectomy
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Ahmed Valve Implantation
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XEN Stent
Glaucoma Clinic at The One Seoul Eye Clinic is dedicated to continuous effort and research,
staying in line with global treatment trends! Glaucoma requires lifelong treatment from the moment of diagnosis,
underscoring the importance of selecting the right clinic.
Glaucoma Treatment Case
This is a case of a 45-year-old male with an increase in cup-disc ratio in the left eye. The optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer imaging and optical coherence tomography show defects in the superior and inferior areas of the optic nerve head.
Visual field testing reveals corresponding scotomas in the defect areas, leading to a diagnosis of glaucoma and the patient is currently undergoing treatment.
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Increased Cup-disc Ratio
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Optic Nerve and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Imaging
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Optical Coherence Tomography
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Scotomas Corresponding to Defect Areas
Glaucoma Clinic and Cataract
Clinic are OPEN!
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Weekdays
08:30 a.m. - 05:30 p.m -
Saturdays
08:30 a.m. - 01:30 p.m -
Lunchtime
01:00 p.m. - 02:00 p.m
8F and 9F Sinsa Square, 652 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
o straight for 5 minutes (330m) on foot from
Exit 6 of Sinsa Station on Subway Line 3
