LaserVision

What is Secondary Glaucoma?

Secondary glaucoma is the name used to describe glaucoma that occurs as a side effect or “secondary” to another underlying medical condition or trauma. Even though the cause of primary and secondary glaucoma may be different, they are a complicated group of eye diseases that similarly lead to changes in intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve transfers visual information from the eye to the brain and if damaged can result in sight loss and even blindness if untreated.

Secondary Glaucoma Symptoms

What are the Symptoms?

  • May be silent / asymptomatic
  • misty or blurry patches in their vision, particularly if they close one eye
  • Visual field loss is often not visually noticeable until it is at an advanced stage.

What are the Causes?

Some patients have a greater risk of developing secondary glaucoma including: Iatrogenic (i.e. post-surgery), lens-related issues (i.e. cataract), medicine related (i.e. after taking steroids), neovascular (i.e. with diabetic retinopathy), pigment dispersion syndrome, pseudoexfoliation, trauma and uveitis.

Causes
Causes

What are the Causes?

Some patients have a greater risk of developing secondary glaucoma including: Iatrogenic (i.e. post-surgery), lens-related issues (i.e. cataract), medicine related (i.e. after taking steroids), neovascular (i.e. with diabetic retinopathy), pigment dispersion syndrome, pseudoexfoliation, trauma and uveitis.

Secondary Glaucoma Diagnosis

What is the Diagnosis?

Glaucoma is diagnosed by measuring the intraocular pressure using a Goldman applanation tonometer in conjunction with measurement of the central corneal thickness. Patients need full gonioscopic examination of the angle and assessment of the anterior chamber parameters using an anterior segment OCT. Glaucoma is the presence of an elevated intraocular pressure in conjunction with damage to the optic nerve and visual field loss. The visual field is assessed using a Humphrey Visual Field Analyser and the optic nerve via OCT and RNFL assessments.

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