Glaucoma Study Guide: Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment
This comprehensive glaucoma study guide is an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals, medical students, and anyone looking to understand the complexities of glaucoma. It covers the types, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options for this leading cause of blindness, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and proper management.
 
Key Features:
What is Glaucoma? Understand the basics of glaucoma, including its definition, mechanism (raised intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, and visual field loss), and prevalence worldwide.
Types of Glaucoma: Learn the differences between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), and secondary glaucomas. The guide also covers congenital and developmental glaucoma.
Pathophysiology of Glaucoma: Gain insight into the pathophysiology of POAG, including trabecular meshwork resistance and its impact on intraocular pressure (IOP).
Signs & Symptoms: Recognize the common symptoms of glaucoma, such as asymptomatic early stages in POAG and the acute symptoms of PACG, including eye pain, nausea, and blurred vision.
 
Risk Factors: Explore key risk factors for developing glaucoma, including age, family history, myopia, and diabetes.
Pharmacological Treatment: Learn about first-line therapies, such as prostaglandin analogues, and adjunct therapies, including β-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and miotics. Understand the mechanisms, side effects, and contraindications of each class of drugs.
Eye Drop Administration Tips: Practical advice on administering eye drops, especially for elderly, arthritic, or visually impaired patients, including techniques to reduce systemic absorption.
 
Patient Care & Monitoring: The guide emphasizes the importance of regular monitoring and timely intervention to prevent optic nerve damage and visual field loss.
 
Whether you're preparing for exams, working in clinical settings, or looking to expand your knowledge on glaucoma, this study guide offers a structured and in-depth approach to understanding this critical ocular condition.