Prima Medical Center Saigon, Glaucoma
Glaucoma – Signs, Symptoms and Solutions
16 October, 2023
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, behind cataracts. However, unlike cataracts, the vision loss associated with glaucoma is mainly irreversible. A 2021 review of worldwide glaucoma prevalence among people aged 40-80 years showed estimates of 2.5% in Asia.
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?
It is an eye disease in which the pressure of the fluid in the eye rises to the point that the optic nerve becomes damaged.
- The pressure that builds up occurs because too much fluid is formed or the channel in the eye through which the fluid normally drains is blocked.
- This disease is damaging sight as the elevated pressure within the eye can constrict the blood vessels that nourish the sensitive nerve structures in the back of the eye.
Most cases develop slowly, and the patient is usually unaware of the gradual loss of sight until vision is significantly impaired.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE DISEASE?
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
This type accounts for the majority of glaucoma in most countries. It affects mainly the elderly but can also affect the middle-aged. Relatives of people with this disease have a higher risk of having the disease as there is usually a hereditary factor involved.
Glaucoma progresses slowly and often goes unnoticed for many months or years. Many people are unaware that their eyesight is deteriorating as a person’s straight-ahead vision and reading vision remain good initially. However, there is a gradual loss of night vision and side vision.
This condition usually responds well to treatment, but in a few cases, surgery is required to clear the blockage in the duct through which the fluid drains.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma in Vietnam, which commonly affects the middle-aged and the elderly, especially women. It involves a sudden, drastic increase of pressure in the eye. If not treated immediately, it can permanently damage the eye in a very short time.
Unlike chronic glaucoma, acute one often has very marked symptoms such as severe pain in the eye, blurred vision, redness, the appearance of haloes around lights and vomiting.
Congenital glaucoma
This type of glaucoma is rare and occurs at birth. Enlargement of the infant’s eyes, tearing, and unusual sensitivity to light are symptoms that indicate the need for an ophthalmological examination.
Secondary glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma is caused by other conditions such as eye inflammation, tumors, eye surgery, injuries or cataracts in their advanced stages.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Everyone should be concerned about glaucoma and its effects. It is vital for each of us, from infants to senior citizens, to have our eyes checked regularly because early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only way to prevent vision impairment and blindness. There are a few conditions related to this disease which tend to put some people at greater risk:
- People over the age of 45,
- People who have a family history of glaucoma,
- People with abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP),
People who have:
- Diabetes
- Myopia (near-sightedness)
- Regular, long-term Steroid/Cortisone use
- A previous eye injury.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Our ophthalmologists @ Prima Medical Center Saigon has a variety of diagnostic tools that aid in determining whether or not you have glaucoma, even before you have any symptoms. Let us explore these tools and what they do:
The tonometer
It measures the pressure in your eye,
The visual field test
It evaluates your vision and is an essential measure of the extent of damage to your optic nerve from glaucoma,
The typical eye check by ophthalmoscopy
Our ophthalmologist @ Prima Medical Center Saigon uses an ophthalmoscope to look directly through the pupil at the optic nerve.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the greater the chances of success in preventing vision loss. Althoughit cannot be cured, in most cases, it can be successfully controlled. The type of therapy depends on the form of glaucoma. It may be administered by medication (eye drops or tablets), surgery, or laser therapy.
It is important to remember that normal pressure after treatment implies that the condition is controlled rather than cured. Therefore, a patient should be followed up regularly by our ophthalmologist Prima Medical Center Saigon to prevent further loss of vision.
Our Ophthalmology Team
- Dr THAO Vo, Chief Medical Officer , Prima Medical Center Saigon
- Dr AN Trinh, Head of General Ophthalmology
- Dr BINH Tran, Senior Consultant
- Dr TRAN Nguyen, Consultant
Prima Saigon is one of the prestigious eye hospitals in Vietnam, recognized by the US embassy in Vietnam.
If you need an Glaucoma assessment, please have a visit to Prima Medical Center Saigon
- Address: 27 Ky Dong St, District 3, HCMC
- Website: https://primahealth.vn/en/
- Business Hours: 07:30 – 17:00 from Monday – Saturday
- HOTLINE: 0919-209-039 or 1900 – 9115
Prima Saigon recommends that clients should reserve their intended consultation at least three days before their visit for convenience and less waiting time.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, behind cataracts. However, unlike cataracts, the vision loss associated with glaucoma is mainly irreversible. A 2021 review of worldwide glaucoma prevalence among people aged 40-80 years showed estimates of 2.5% in Asia.
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?
It is an eye disease in which the pressure of the fluid in the eye rises to the point that the optic nerve becomes damaged.
- The pressure that builds up occurs because too much fluid is formed or the channel in the eye through which the fluid normally drains is blocked.
- This disease is damaging sight as the elevated pressure within the eye can constrict the blood vessels that nourish the sensitive nerve structures in the back of the eye.
Most cases develop slowly, and the patient is usually unaware of the gradual loss of sight until vision is significantly impaired.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE DISEASE?
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
This type accounts for the majority of glaucoma in most countries. It affects mainly the elderly but can also affect the middle-aged. Relatives of people with this disease have a higher risk of having the disease as there is usually a hereditary factor involved.
Glaucoma progresses slowly and often goes unnoticed for many months or years. Many people are unaware that their eyesight is deteriorating as a person’s straight-ahead vision and reading vision remain good initially. However, there is a gradual loss of night vision and side vision.
This condition usually responds well to treatment, but in a few cases, surgery is required to clear the blockage in the duct through which the fluid drains.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma in Vietnam, which commonly affects the middle-aged and the elderly, especially women. It involves a sudden, drastic increase of pressure in the eye. If not treated immediately, it can permanently damage the eye in a very short time.
Unlike chronic glaucoma, acute one often has very marked symptoms such as severe pain in the eye, blurred vision, redness, the appearance of haloes around lights and vomiting.
Congenital glaucoma
This type of glaucoma is rare and occurs at birth. Enlargement of the infant’s eyes, tearing, and unusual sensitivity to light are symptoms that indicate the need for an ophthalmological examination.
Secondary glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma is caused by other conditions such as eye inflammation, tumors, eye surgery, injuries or cataracts in their advanced stages.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Everyone should be concerned about glaucoma and its effects. It is vital for each of us, from infants to senior citizens, to have our eyes checked regularly because early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only way to prevent vision impairment and blindness. There are a few conditions related to this disease which tend to put some people at greater risk:
- People over the age of 45,
- People who have a family history of glaucoma,
- People with abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP),
People who have:
- Diabetes
- Myopia (near-sightedness)
- Regular, long-term Steroid/Cortisone use
- A previous eye injury.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Our ophthalmologists @ Prima Medical Center Saigon has a variety of diagnostic tools that aid in determining whether or not you have glaucoma, even before you have any symptoms. Let us explore these tools and what they do:
The tonometer
It measures the pressure in your eye,
The visual field test
It evaluates your vision and is an essential measure of the extent of damage to your optic nerve from glaucoma,
The typical eye check by ophthalmoscopy
Our ophthalmologist @ Prima Medical Center Saigon uses an ophthalmoscope to look directly through the pupil at the optic nerve.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the greater the chances of success in preventing vision loss. Althoughit cannot be cured, in most cases, it can be successfully controlled. The type of therapy depends on the form of glaucoma. It may be administered by medication (eye drops or tablets), surgery, or laser therapy.
It is important to remember that normal pressure after treatment implies that the condition is controlled rather than cured. Therefore, a patient should be followed up regularly by our ophthalmologist Prima Medical Center Saigon to prevent further loss of vision.
Our Ophthalmology Team
- Dr THAO Vo, Chief Medical Officer , Prima Medical Center Saigon
- Dr AN Trinh, Head of General Ophthalmology
- Dr BINH Tran, Senior Consultant
- Dr TRAN Nguyen, Consultant
Prima Saigon is one of the prestigious eye hospitals in Vietnam, recognized by the US embassy in Vietnam.
If you need an Glaucoma assessment, please have a visit to Prima Medical Center Saigon
- Address: 27 Ky Dong St, District 3, HCMC
- Website: https://primahealth.vn/en/
- Business Hours: 07:30 – 17:00 from Monday – Saturday
- HOTLINE: 0919-209-039 or 1900 – 9115
Prima Saigon recommends that clients should reserve their intended consultation at least three days before their visit for convenience and less waiting time.
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