Glaucoma

Glaucoma often deemed the “silent thief of sight,” is a group of eye conditions in which elevated eye pressure (intraocular pressure) gradually damages the optic nerve, a vital link that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.

The eye produces a nourishing fluid called aqueous humour. This fluid circulates around the eye’s tissues and drains through outflow channels. ‘Normal’ Eye pressure is when the amount of fluid produced is balanced by the amount of fluid draining away. If the fluid in the eyes is not ‘balanced, the pressure inside the eye rises, which can lead to glaucoma and would require treatment by a glaucoma specialist. 

There are two main types of glaucoma:

• Open-Angle Glaucoma: This type progresses slowly and is often asymptomatic until its later stages
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type develops rapidly, causing sudden eye pain, nausea, and blurred vision.

Several factors can increase one’s risk of developing glaucoma, including advanced age, certain ethnic backgrounds, a family history of glaucoma, and various medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sickle cell anaemia. Physical eye injuries are also a significant risk.

Early detection of glaucoma is critical, and prompt intervention can often halt or slow down the progression of vision loss. Treatment options range from eye drops and oral medications to laser treatments and surgical procedures, depending on the type and severity of glaucoma.

At Moorfields Eye Hospitals, our glaucoma specialists in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are experts in surgical and non-surgical treatments and utilise cutting-edge technology and evidence-based treatments to deliver personalised, effective care.