Definition and characteristics of glaucoma Definition: It is an irreversible optic neuropathy. Elevated intraocular pressure and insufficient blood supply to the optic nerve are the two most important factors causing progressive damage to its optic nerve, and it damages the visual field, not just the vision. Features: Glaucoma is an irreversible blinding eye disease. It is a lifelong disease that will progressively worsen and lead to blindness if not properly diagnosed and treated. As the disease cannot be effectively prevented. As long as it can be detected early, diagnosed early, treated in a timely and regular manner, and maintained at a low target IOP level throughout life, blindness can be completely avoided. How can we achieve early detection of glaucoma? Glaucoma can affect people of any age, from infants to the elderly, but those who have the following conditions are more likely to develop the disease: 1, age over 40 2, high myopia 3, diabetes 4, family history of glaucoma 5, farsightedness 6, blood circulation disorders, excessive blood pressure fluctuations. Glaucoma hereditary Glaucoma does have the characteristics of a polygenic genetic disease, the mode of inheritance is very complex, although it is not yet possible to determine the chances of inheritance in the end, but there is no doubt that if a person in the family has glaucoma, the other members of the family should also be regular eye examinations. The symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type of glaucoma, and can be acute or slow, intense or mild, or even asymptomatic and silent, as if stolen by thieves until the vision is largely lost. Typical symptoms include eye swelling and pain, iridescence (rainbow-like rings around lights), foggy vision (like being in smoke), accompanied by headache, nausea, and even vomiting. Routine examination of glaucoma 1, intraocular pressure: not only is it an important diagnosis, but also a basis for measuring the efficacy, adjusting medication and other treatments. 2.Atrial angle: including anterior chamber angle microscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), which is an important basis for glaucoma diagnosis, typing, understanding the mechanism of elevated intraocular pressure and formulating treatment plans. 3.Visual function: including visual acuity and visual field. Especially visual field is the standard for judging glaucoma condition! 4.Basal: including quantitative analysis of optic papilla and retinal nerve fiber layer (e.g., OCT), which is an objective indicator to judge the development of glaucoma. 5. Other: excitation test, corneal thickness, eye axis length (e.g.: A ultrasound), visual electrophysiology (e.g.: VEP), etc. are important indicators to assist diagnosis, develop surgical plan, and judge the progress of the disease. Important note: Glaucoma diagnosis should never be made by 1-2 tests alone, but must be combined with multiple tests, combined with medical history and comprehensive judgment to make an early and reliable diagnosis, thus providing a solid guarantee for further guiding treatment and preventing blindness. Effective treatment of glaucoma I. Purpose of glaucoma treatment To stop or delay the continuous damage to the optic nerve, prevent further visual field defects, and preserve the existing visual function. The key to glaucoma treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure and protect the optic nerve. Glaucoma treatment methods Drugs, laser, surgery Glaucoma treatment goals 1. Achieve the target IOP standard: or safe IOP, which is the level of IOP that can prevent or stop further damage to the form and function of the optic nerve caused by pressure factors, and is set separately for each patient according to their own condition. As the condition changes, the target IOP should be constantly adjusted and modified to maximize the control of optic nerve damage caused by IOP factors. Just like body temperature and blood pressure, IOP fluctuates throughout the day, and excessive fluctuations in IOP can also cause optic nerve damage. The IOP measured at a certain time only represents the IOP at that time. Therefore, it is necessary to measure dynamic IOP over a 24-hour period. Maintaining a stable IOP over 24 hours is the key to effective control of the condition.