The Trauma of Glaucoma: How eye injury can cause irreversible blindness

Glaucoma, a major eye disease that gradually steals vision, is ceaselessly lurking as every injury or damage to the eye can potentially cause a lifetime of blindness.

Among the many risk factors of Glaucoma, the country’s number one cause of blindness, previous eye injury cannot be underestimated. 

While most eye injuries can be given proper treatment, the risk of glaucoma may persist. Glaucoma may not be contracted immediately after an injury. It can develop over time, according to the Philippine Glaucoma Society (PGS), the organization of the country’s leading eye experts on glaucoma.

“The Philippine Glaucoma Society with Allergan is fighting to rid the country of this dreadful disease. Eye injury like many other glaucoma risk factors is not to be taken too lightly. It may cause the onset of a specific but equally damaging type of glaucoma, which is Traumatic Glaucoma,” said Dr. Biboy Martinez, PGS vice president. 

A previous eye injury may damage the drainage channels of the eye causing increased eye pressure, this elevated pressure may then cause damage to the optic nerve causing glaucoma.  

Traumatic glaucoma is usually cause by blunt trauma, which could either be a direct blow to the head or a direct injury to the eye.

Eye fluid flows out of the eye through the pupil and is absorbed into the bloodstream through drainage canals around the edge of the iris.

Blunt trauma damages the flow of eye fluid inside the eye, causing blockage in the system and eventually elevation of eye pressure. This blockage can be caused by an excess amount of blood, plasma and debris.

 Treatment for this kind of glaucoma can either be medication or surgery depending on the severity of the disease.

Another type of glaucoma, the Angle Recession Glaucoma, can also be contracted due to previous eye injury.

This type of glaucoma is caused by excess scarring leading to damage to drainage canals in the eye. Scarring will also block the flow of eye fluid therefore causing glaucoma.

High eye pressure is usually a temporary aftermath of eye injury. It should subside eventually. In some case, the eye pressure won’t go down. These cases should be treated by pressure lowering drugs or procedures.

“With eye injury, we are uncertain if and when glaucoma will occur. It is only through regular eye exams and pressure monitoring can we detect the disease early prevent blindness from glaucoma,” added Dr. Martinez.

In partnership with Allergan, PGS is aggressively fighting to rid the country of glaucoma through education, exchange of ideas, research and publication. Its vision is No Filipino will ever go blind from Glaucoma.

Philippine Glaucoma Society along with globally recognized multi-specialty care company Allergan brings scientific excellence and rigor in delivering leading products that addresses glaucoma. Allergan goes beyond providing education and information. With the highest level of integrity, Allergan helps patients understand the choices available to them and make well-informed treatment decisions with their doctors.

A previous eye injury may mark the beginning of a life in darkness. Be aggressive in the fight against glaucoma. Visit your eye doctor today.