Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a progressive disease which causes irreversible damage to your optic nerve. This nerve carries visual information to your brain from your retina in the back of your eye.

Damage to the optic nerve causes vision loss. In glaucoma this loss starts in your peripheral vision and moves inward. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness. 

Glaucoma is more likely to occur when the pressure inside your eyes is too high. This can happen if your eyes make too much fluid or if the fluid does not drain well. The excess fluid indirectly causes damage to your optic nerve.

Some people get glaucoma even when their eye pressure is normal. This is called normal-tension or normal-pressure glaucoma. Researchers are still studying why this happens.

There are four main types of glaucoma: 

• Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common form. It affects both eyes and develops slowly. You might lose peripheral vision (side vision) first. As well, you may not notice changes until the disease has progressed significantly.
• Closed-angle glaucoma: This occurs when the drainage canal in your eye closes. It often affects one eye and causes rapid vision loss.
• Pediatric glaucoma: This rare type occurs in children or babies. It can run in families. Pediatric glaucoma often requires surgery for treatment.
• Juvenile glaucoma: This rare type occurs in young adults (under 40 years of age). These patients often require surgery for treatment.

Glaucoma often has no symptoms in its early stages. You might not know you have it until it affects your vision. Regular eye exams can help catch glaucoma early.

If you think you have glaucoma, we will ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms. 

We may also perform tests, such as:

• Dilated eye exam. We use drops to widen your pupils. Then we look at your eye with a bright light and special magnifying glass. 
• Tonometry. This test uses a device called a tonometer to measure the pressure inside your eyes. 
• Visual field test: We will check if you have vision loss in the areas associated with glaucoma.
• Pachymetry: This test measures the thickness of your cornea. Thinner corneas can increase your risk for glaucoma. 

There is no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can help protect your vision. Your treatment plan will depend on how far your glaucoma has progressed.

The main treatment strategies for glaucoma are:

• Eye drops: These medicines lower the pressure in your eyes. Some drops reduce the amount of fluid your eyes make. Others increase the amount that drains from your eye. You will likely need to use the eye drops every day. 
• Laser treatment: We may use a high-energy beam of light to improve the function of the drainage canal in your eye.
• Eye surgery: If eye drops and lasers do not work, surgery can help drain fluid from your eye. We may open a blocked drainage angle or create a new one. 
• Vision rehabilitation: If you have already lost vision, you can learn ways to adapt. Adaptive technologies, voice-to-text software and positioned lights can make daily life easier. 

Clinics that treat glaucoma

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca

Advances in treatments are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make for yourself in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this area so please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.

By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about advancing health outcomes and find better ways to help people live and thrive. While you cannot assume benefit to yourself, your participation can make a difference in improving care for future patients.

The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information or contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.