Glaucoma is a pathological condition of the eyes, which is characterized by increased intraocular pressure. The pressure rises above the rates that can normally carry the eye of a particular person, there is an atrophy of the optic nerve, a decrease in visual acuity (sometimes significant), defect fields develop view. The term "glaucoma" unites a fairly large group of eye diseases. The increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) may be permanent or may occur intermittently.
Content
1Definition of disease
2Causes
3Symptoms
4Possible complications
5Treatment
5.1Medication
5.2Surgically
6Prevention
7Video
8conclusions
Definition of disease
A sharp and sudden increase in IOP is called an acute attack of glaucoma.With an average norm of intraocular pressure of 22 mmHg, the IOP can be raised two or more times (from 50 to 70 mmHg).An acute attack of glaucoma is extremely dangerous and requires urgent medical intervention.This condition causes a violation of the normal circulation of blood in the eye. And this, in turn, can cause an irreversible condition: blindness.
The reasons for a sudden and sharp increase in intraocular pressure have not even been elucidated even now.Most often, an acute attack of glaucoma occurs in the case of the development of closed-angle glaucoma. This is a more rare form of the disease. It occurs in older people, especially with the development of hyperopia.In the case of development of an angle-closure glaucoma, the pressure in the eyes rises very quickly.
The causes of dilated pupils can become an "excuse" for the appearance of an attack: a dim light, even some types of medications, including atropine.
During the expansion of the pupil, the iris can move forward and block the outflow of intraocular fluid.The iris in such cases is practically adjacent to the cornea, and the anterior chamber of the eyes becomes too shallow. The eyeball hardens. A sudden increase in pressure causes severe pain.
In some cases, a sudden pressure surge may occur in people with a chronic form of glaucoma due to sudden nervous overstrain, excessive physical exertion, hypothermia, a long stay in an uncomfortable position with the head tilted forward.
There are cases when an attack occurs without an obvious cause.
Symptoms
Despite the fact that an acute attack of glaucoma occurs suddenly, there are still so-called "harbingers" of this condition.It can be the feeling of iridescent circles around some glowing object, or blurring the vision. Often people may not suspect in their unusual condition an acute attack of glaucoma. In some cases, glaucoma for years only manifests itself as harbingers.However, the symptom itself shows an actual attack, which can result in loss of vision.
Harbinger "warn" of a dangerous disease state is not always. Often the attack strikes the organs of human sight absolutely unexpectedly.
Symptoms of an acute attack of glaucoma:
Severe pain in the area of the affected eye;
Redness of the eye, eyelid edema, corneal opacity, change in iris color;
Change the shape and color of the pupil. It becomes greenish and considerably enlarges;
Sharp decrease in vision. Sometimes only light is retained;
Extremely intense pain in the side of the head where the affected eye is located.Pain is especially pronounced in the occipital region, near the forehead or temple;
Nausea or vomiting;
General weakness, chills, bradycardia.
In some cases, an increase in body temperature occurs.Since the symptoms resemble a state of poisoning, migraine attacks or hypertensive crisis, the patient may not seek medical help in a timely manner.It is important to pay attention to the fact that one eye has the usual shape of the pupil and remains unchanged, and the other, affected, has a swollen cornea and an altered iris, the dilated pupil, which seems greenish and practically does not react to light.
At palpation of eyes painful and very dense, "stone". Increasing the density of the eye is a very obvious symptom of an acute attack of glaucoma, helping to determine the causes of the disease state. For confidence in the diagnosis, you can compare the hardness of the patient and healthy eyes.
Possible complications
An acute attack of glaucoma is an extremely dangerous condition, in which there is a high risk of irreversible blindness.
Treatment
An acute attack of glaucoma is a situation that requires urgent medical attention.If IOP is not reduced to acceptable values during the first 24 hours, the eye faces an irreversible loss of vision. In order to avoid this patient must urgently be placed in an ophthalmic hospital.Emergency care for an acute attack of glaucoma includes activities aimed at reducing IOP, as well as bringing the blood in the eyeball back to normal.This will restore the nutrition of the optic nerve and retina.
Medication
Medication includes:
Drugs in the form of eye drops that narrow the pupil of the eye(myotics). The use of these drugs improves the functioning of the drainage system of the organs of vision. In case of acute attack of glaucoma, myotics of strong action are appointed. During the first hour, the medication is instilled every 10 to 15 minutes, then the frequency of use slows down. At later stages of treatment, drops are administered depending on the degree of IOP decrease (3 to 6 times) per day.
Drugs that reduce intraocular pressure.Their action is based on the reduction of the formation of watery moisture and some slight increase in its outflow.
Drugs that eliminate pain syndrome.Such drugs are used in the form of injections.
Sedatives.
Diuretics,intensifying the hypotensive effect.Proxodolol effectively reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma
As additional tools, salt laxatives and hot foot baths are used.
Surgically
If the attack can not be suppressed within the first 24 hours, surgical treatment can become an urgent necessity.Depending on the patient's condition and the development of the attack, both conventional and laser operations are used for treatment.Laser surgery is used to eliminate intraocular blocks preventing the outflow of intraocular fluid. To stop the attack, as well as to prevent the development of repeated attacks, laser iridectomy is performed on both eyes. The procedure is to create a hole in the peripheral part of the iris.
Laser surgery for glaucoma
After surgery, the intraocular pressure of the posterior and anterior chambers of the eye is equalized, as well as the opening of the anterior chamber angle. Laser iridectomy requires only local anesthesia.
In some situations, it is difficult to reduce IOP, it can be done only by performing penetrating operations.If the attack of glaucoma is not removed by other means during the first 24 hours, surgical intervention is necessary -basal iridectomy. This operation is necessary to eliminate the pupillary block by creating a different pathway of outflow of aqueous humor from the posterior chamber of the eye into the anterior chamber. As a result, the pressure in the chambers is leveled.
Prevention
Patients diagnosed with an angle-closure glaucoma should be informed of the possibility of an acute attack of glaucoma, its symptoms and characteristics.Such patients need to take a number of measures to prevent the emergence of a dangerous condition:
Do not drink a lot of liquid in one session.;
It is necessary to avoid staying for a long time in a position that requires the inclination of the head;
Do not self-medicate, taking uncontrolled any medications.
It is important to always be able to take measures to reduce it at the first signs of increasing intraocular pressure.To do this, it is necessary to always keep the medicines prescribed for such purposes by the doctor.
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Video
conclusions
An acute attack of glaucoma is an extremely dangerous condition, often leading to loss of vision. When it occurs, emergency medical care is necessary. Self-medication in the case of a sharp increase in intraocular pressure is unacceptable. Patients suffering from the closed-angle form of glaucoma, it is important to contact the ophthalmologist in advance in order to obtain information on the permissible measures that can be applied, stopping the attack. Untimely access to medical care in the case of a sharp increase in intraocular pressure often becomes the cause of irreversible blindness.
Also read about what is iridocyclitis and paralytic strabismus.
