Glaucoma - Normal Tension
Understanding Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Regular eye check-ups with an ophthalmologist are essential to screen for optic nerve damage and potential vision loss, even if your eye pressure appears normal.
If there's suspicion of normal-tension glaucoma, it's advisable to undergo a physical examination by a healthcare professional experienced in both cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders, given their connection to this type of glaucoma.
Family history is significant in understanding glaucoma and optic nerve conditions since these issues often run in families.
During your eye examination, your ophthalmologist will inquire about various factors that could be linked to normal-tension glaucoma:
- Past eye-related history
- Migraine headaches
- Previous eye conditions, eye surgeries, or head/eye traumas
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Current medications, including the use of steroids
- Any medical conditions
- Vasospasms, like Raynaud syndrome
- Coagulopathies (conditions affecting blood clotting)
- Past episodes of significant blood loss or shock-like incidents
- Nocturnal hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure during nighttime)
- Autoimmune disorders (where the immune system attacks normal body tissues)
- Vascular disease, including atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries)
- Thyroid disease
- Sleep apnea (intermittent breathing during sleep, often seen in overweight individuals)
- Alzheimer's disease
Self-Care Guidelines
If your ophthalmologist prescribes medications to lower your eye pressure, it's crucial to apply the medication correctly and follow your eye doctor's instructions. Non-compliance may lead to worsened conditions.
Follow-up Visits
If you're diagnosed with normal-tension glaucoma, you'll have regular follow-up appointments with your ophthalmologist, typically scheduled every 3-6 months to monitor the condition's progress.
Preventing Further Progression
While normal-tension glaucoma cannot be prevented, regular eye check-ups with an ophthalmologist may help prevent further deterioration of the condition.
Prognosis
Early diagnosis and proper medical treatment can prevent further damage to the optic nerve and potential vision loss. However, if left undetected, permanent vision loss can occur.