Difference Between Glaucoma and Cataract (Video) (2023)

FAQs

How can you tell the difference between glaucoma and cataracts? ›

Glaucoma and cataracts affect two different areas of the eyes. Glaucoma involves eye pressure and affects the optic nerve, and cataracts involve the breakdown of proteins and affect the lens.

Glaucoma is a condition where a buildup of pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve which is the vital link of the eye to the brain which processes visual information. Cataracts are unlikely to be the cause of blindness, not so with Glaucoma; it can cause irreversible blindness and must be treated.

Is it safe to have cataract surgery with glaucoma? While every person's condition is different, it is generally considered safe to have cataract surgery with glaucoma. However, cataract surgery has been shown to increase eye pressure, so those with glaucoma may wish to have both procedures done at the same time.

Redness in the eye: Sometimes accompanied by pain, which may be a sign of injury, infection or acute glaucoma. Eye that looks hazy: A cloudy-looking cornea is the most common early sign of childhood glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a complex disease associated with the build-up of fluid pressure inside the eye that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve, a bundle of over a million nerve fibers, transmits the message of sight from the eye to the brain. In glaucoma, the nerve fibers carrying peripheral vision are affected first.

Glaucoma and cataracts are not typically related, however, because both eye conditions often develop or worsen with age, there is a significant chance that a glaucoma patient may be affected by cataracts at some time, especially over the age of 50 when cataracts commonly form.

Know Your Glaucoma Risk

Anyone can get glaucoma, but certain groups are at higher risk. These groups include African Americans over age 40, all people over age 60, people with a family history of glaucoma, and people who have diabetes. African Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma than whites.

High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.

A posterior subcapsular cataract often interferes with your reading vision, reduces your vision in bright light, and causes glare or halos around lights at night. These types of cataracts tend to progress faster than other types do.

Although these glasses and contacts are not available now, it is important that patients with glaucoma have proper eyewear. Use of glasses can provide protection for patients who may only have one functional eye. In these cases, polycarbonate lenses can offer more protection.

What should you not do if you have glaucoma? ›

This type of surgery is usually used to treat open-angle glaucoma. It's done in a hospital and usually takes less than an hour. The surgeon will create a tiny opening in the top of your eye. The opening will be under your eyelid, where no one will see it.

Your ophthalmologist uses eye drops to numb your eye, then touches your cornea with a special lens. The lens shows whether the angle is open or closed. If the angle is closed, the drainage system is blocked, which may indicate glaucoma. The test is also called gonioscopy.

If your eyes become tired with prolonged concentration, you can rest them periodically - but please don't worry that you have done them any harm. Similarly, longer distance viewing such as driving, watching TV or going to the movies does not harm your eyes. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

By the time you notice vision loss from glaucoma, it's too late. The lost vision cannot be restored, and it's very likely you may experience additional vision loss, even after glaucoma treatment begins.

Vision loss due to glaucoma has traditionally been described as loss of “peripheral vision”; that is, loss of vision at the outer edges.

When people with glaucoma get cataracts, it's the perfect opportunity to treat both problems at once. During cataract surgery, doctors can perform a simple, safe glaucoma procedure, so people get the clear vision they need as well as control of intraocular pressure (IOP).

How do I know if I have glaucoma in my eyes? ›

The best way to find out whether open-angle glaucoma is occurring is to get regular eye exams (usually once a year). An ophthalmologist will examine your optic nerves and check your eye pressure for any unusual readings. Angle-closure glaucoma, on the other hand, usually does present symptoms, including: Blurry vision.

The increased pressure in your eye, called intraocular pressure, can damage your optic nerve, which sends images to your brain. If the damage worsens, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or even total blindness within a few years.

On September 26, 2022, the FDA approved a new drug — in the form of eyedrops — by Santen to treat open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. October 04, 2022 - In a recent press release, Santen announced that the FDA approved OMLONTI, the company's newest ophthalmic medication.

Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) has become the preferred approach to glaucoma management for many eye care professionals and their patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma.

A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that people who drank at least one cup of hot tea daily lowered their glaucoma risk by 74% compared to those who did not. The foundation also suggested chocolate, bananas, avocados, pumpkin seeds and black beans for their health benefits.

They found that people who consumed high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, either as supplements or through food, were 47 percent less likely to develop glaucoma. Surprisingly, the vitamins provided protection only when all three were taken together.

“Steroids are the main medicine that can raise eye pressure for patients with open-angle glaucoma,” Dr. McKinney says. Taking steroid drugs in any form – orally, topically, through an inhaler or IV – can worsen glaucoma for these patients. Steroids applied closest to the eye carry the highest risk.

Trauma-related cataracts are typically the most fast-growing type of cataracts. Radiation: Radiation-related cataracts, sometimes listed under trauma-related cataracts, occur after the lens has been exposed to radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation can result in clouded vision in as little as two years.

In most people, cataracts start developing around age 60, and the average age for cataract surgery in the United States is 73.

Signs You Need Cataract Surgery

You find it difficult to see well enough to perform tasks at work. Your vision has gotten in the way of doing activities around the home, such as cooking and cleaning. You no longer see the television screen or printed material clearly. Driving, especially at night, no longer feels safe.

Is sunlight good for glaucoma? ›

Less eye exposure to the sun will likely result in fewer cataracts and will help prevent exfoliation glaucoma. And, although genes play a significant role in glaucoma development, sun exposure is still important.

What isn't covered? Original Medicare doesn't pay for routine vision care, including glasses or contact lenses. Even if your healthcare provider believes you should have glaucoma screenings more often than once per year, Medicare generally won't cover the extra tests. You'll need to pay for those fully out of pocket.

One of the biggest side effects of glaucoma-related photophobia is glare sensitivity that can be worsened by sunlight as well as fluorescents, LED or other artificial light. This makes it difficult for patients to perform normal activities of living such as driving at night and going outside.

No, quite the contrary. Reading can't make your glaucoma worse, so if you have this eye illness, don't be discouraged. There are various tools that can help you read.

From a glaucoma viewpoint, there are no dietary or drinking habits that increase the risk of the disease. Drinking a bottle of water very quickly does raise eye pressure, so we recommend you drink slowly to avoid this. Eating a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is a good health habit.

Following glaucoma surgery, it's common for your vision to become blurred. This can last from a few days to 6 weeks. Inflammation, swelling, redness, or irritation in the eye are all common during the first few days post-surgery.

Recovery from glaucoma surgery varies, depending on the surgery. Most people notice recovery in vision in days to weeks after the surgery. Instances of months-long recovery are possible, although very uncommon. “Visual recovery depends on the surgery and on the eye's healing response,” says Johnson.

Patients who undergo glaucoma surgery usually do not experience significant pain during or after the surgery. Like any surgery, many patients experience mild discomfort for a few weeks following surgery. Strong pain medication is not commonly needed.

Where does glaucoma usually start? ›

At first, glaucoma doesn't usually have any symptoms. That's why half of people with glaucoma don't even know they have it. Over time, you may slowly lose vision, usually starting with your side (peripheral) vision — especially the part of your vision that's closest to your nose.

Glaucoma's hallmark symptom is a gradual loss of peripheral vision, usually in both eyes.

The most common diagnoses were ischemic optic neuropathy (25%), compressive optic neuropathy (18.7%) and hereditary optic neuropathy (18.7%). Based on the analysis of fundus photographs and HVF tests, 25% of these were misdiagnosed as glaucoma (two ischemic optic neuropathies and two congenital optic disc anomalies).

What's the most common age for developing glaucoma? You are most at risk for developing glaucoma if you are 40 years old or older. But that's not to say that this is the only time you can develop glaucoma. Like any other health condition, anyone can develop glaucoma.

Some types of eye drops work by helping fluid drain from your eye, which lowers eye pressure. Examples include: Prostaglandins, like Xalatan (latanoprost), Travatan Z (travoprost), Zioptan (tafluprost), and Lumigan (bimatoprost)

For those that have eye health problems such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration, seeking medical care from an ophthalmologist may be recommended. Often eye diseases will be diagnosed by your optometrist first, who may refer you to or consult with an ophthalmologist to provide you the best care possible.

Eye doctors can check for glaucoma as part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The exam is simple and painless — your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and then check your eyes for glaucoma and other eye problems. The exam includes a visual field test to check your side vision.

Optometrists go through significant training to become experts on eyes and eye-related issues. They are trained and qualified to diagnose many eye conditions or diseases, glaucoma included. In addition to diagnosing, they can also treat many of these same diseases.

Although these glasses and contacts are not available now, it is important that patients with glaucoma have proper eyewear. Use of glasses can provide protection for patients who may only have one functional eye. In these cases, polycarbonate lenses can offer more protection.

At what eye pressure is glaucoma diagnosed? ›

The range for normal pressure is 12-21 mm Hg (“mm Hg” refers to millimeters of mercury, a scale used to record eye pressure). Most glaucoma cases are diagnosed with pressure exceeding 20 mm Hg. However, some people can have glaucoma at pressures between 12 -21 mm Hg.

High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to visual field loss. One of the major risk factors is eye pressure. An abnormality in the eye's drainage system can cause fluid to build up, leading to excessive pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.

Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. covers glaucoma tests once every 12 months if you're at high risk for developing the eye disease glaucoma.

Age-related change in IOP

In the cross-sectional analysis, average IOP increased from 12.7 mm Hg in subjects in their 20s to 14.0 mm Hg in those in their 40s. Then IOP decreased from 13.9 mm Hg in those in their 60s to 13.1 mm Hg in those in their 70s.

Do you ever see black spots, wavy line, halos, bright lights or floating objects in the center of your vision? If the answers are “yes,” there is a good chance you may be developing glaucoma. In fact, the first symptoms of this eye condition are: vision difficulties like dark spots and black wavy lines.