jaskra

Jaskra, commonly called glaucoma in English, refers to a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The damage results from the loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons, leading to progressive vision loss if not treated. Glaucoma can affect one or both eyes and can occur at any age, though risk rises with age.

The main clinical categories are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is gradual and usually painless; angle-closure glaucoma can present with sudden eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, halos around lights, and a red eye and is a medical emergency. Normal tension glaucoma is also recognized, where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal IOP values. Secondary glaucoma can follow eye injury, inflammation, steroids, or other ocular diseases.

Diagnosis relies on regular eye examinations, including measurement of intraocular pressure with tonometry, assessment of the optic nerve by inspection or imaging, and visual field testing to detect functional loss. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can monitor nerve fiber layer thinning.

Treatment aims to lower IOP and slow or halt progression. Options include daily eye drops, oral medications, laser treatments (such as trabeculoplasty or iridotomy), and surgical approaches (filtration surgery or MIGS). Glaucoma requires ongoing management and monitoring; early detection improves outcomes and can prevent significant vision loss.