What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that many Danes have.
The disease occurs when the optic nerve is sensitive to the fluid pressure found in the eye.
This means that the pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve and retina.
It initially affects the outer area of the field of vision.
This minor damage is not something you tend to notice yourself.
That's why glaucoma can be an insidious disease because you don't notice the damage yourself.
If the disease is not detected and treated, it can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve.
It is therefore essential to detect and treat the disease.
We don't quite know why some people get glaucoma and others don't.
But we do know that the disease can be hereditary.
This means that you have an increased risk of glaucoma, if you have, for example, a parent or a sibling with the disease.
Your lifestyle can also affect whether you get glaucoma.
You are at greater risk if you are very farsighted or nearsighted.
You can also develop glaucoma if you have incurred damage to your eye in the past, or inflammation of the iris.
If glaucoma is suspected, further examinations should be carried out.
The pressure in the eye is measured and the field of vision is tested.
The drainage angle is examined under a microscope, and a scan of the optic nerve is performed.
Glaucoma is a chronic disease that requires lifelong management and treatment.
The treatment involves lowering the pressure in the eye to prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
To lower the pressure, you can use eye drops that decrease th production of fluid and make it easier for fluid to run from the eye.
For some types, laser treatment of drain ducts can be done in the eye to make them work better.
If these treatments aren't enough, you can perform an artificial drain.
This reduces the pressure in the eye.
If you, or one of your relatives, have glaucoma, it can really affect your everyday life and mental well-being.
It affects quality of life in many ways.
Your quality of life is affected even before your vision reduces just by being told you have glaucoma...
or if you're worried about it.
You can't feel how high the pressure is, or even see the damage to the field of vision.
That's why it is hard keep track of how glaucoma develops.
Glaucoma is also linked to concern and fear of the future.
In those cases, it is important to tell your eye doctor about your concern.
There are also some patients' associations where you can learn more and meet people who have the same disease.