Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disorder that damages the optic nerve. It is often caused because of excess pressure on your eye. This pressure is intraocular pressure and it can damage your optic nerve. 

The optic nerve plays a pivotal role in your vision. It sends signals from the retina to your brain. Based on those signals, your brain creates images. Glaucoma, if untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness. In fact, it is one of the prominent causes of blindness after cataracts. 

Glaucoma is a common condition among senior citizens. Gradually, it gets worse. It is usually detected at an advanced stage when your vision is affected enormously. Hence, you should visit your doctor regularly so that he/she can detect and diagnose the disease at an early stage. If it is diagnosed early, vision loss can be prevented. 

 glacoma

Who Can Get Glaucoma?

While Glaucoma can affect people of all ages, senior citizens and people with conditions listed below are more vulnerable to Glaucoma:

  • Patients suffering from Diabetes
  • People having a family history of glaucoma
  • Patients suffering from Blood Pressure problems
  • People having myopia and hyperopia
  • People taking eye drops or corticosteroid medications

 

normal-eye-vs-glaucoma

Types of Glaucoma

Below are some common types of glaucoma:

  • Open-angle

 

In this type, deposits get built up in the eye’s drainage canals. These deposits increase the pressure on the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. Since the canals appear to be open and function normally, you may not notice the disease until you lose vision. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. It is also called wide-angle glaucoma.

 

  • Closed-angle

 

Closed-angle or angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the angle formed between the iris, and cornea is too narrow. This narrow-angle formed can block the drainage canals. Hence, fluid cannot circulate and pass through the eye which increases the pressure. This again increases the pressure on the eyes and can lead to severe eye pain and headaches. 

closed vs open angle glaucoma

 

  • Normal-Tension

 

Normal-tension glaucoma is mysterious. Even if your eye pressure is normal or not very high, it can lead to normal-tension glaucoma. 

 

  • Childhood Glaucoma

 

Glaucoma may be visible in babies right from birth or it may develop in the initial years. It is because the drainage canals are not formed properly in the womb. It is also known as congenital or paediatric glaucoma. 

 

Symptoms of Glaucoma

The symptoms of Glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of glaucoma. However, here are some signs you need to be vary off in the early stages:

Open-angle Glaucoma

  • Loss of peripheral vision
  • Pain in the eyes and eyebrows
  • High intraocular pressure

Angle-closure Glaucoma

  • Severe eye pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent headaches and vomiting
  • Eye redness

Since glaucoma can lead to vision loss, and the damage is irreversible, you should immediately visit your ophthalmologist if you observe any of these symptoms. 

 

Treatment for Glaucoma

While the glaucoma treatment can ameliorate vision loss, it does not provide a complete cure. Here are some treatments for Glaucoma that doctors usually recommend:

 

  • Laser Treatment

 

In this treatment, the doctor uses a laser to facilitate fluid drainage from your eye. The laser treatment may be effective for 5-6 years. You can consult your ophthalmologist if you wish to repeat the laser treatment.

 

  • Eyedrops

 

Eyedrops can help reduce the risk of high pressure that leads to glaucoma. For eyedrops to be effective, you need to use them daily. 

 

How Can You Prevent Glaucoma?

Here are some preventive measures for Glaucoma that you can practice in your daily life:

 

  • Yoga & Exercise

 

Yoga and other exercises for improving vision can prevent glaucoma. Exercises can reduce eye pressure. 

 

  • Wearing Eye Protection

 

Eye injuries can also cause glaucoma. Hence, it is recommended to wear spectacles (if you have a number) or other eye protection gear when you play any sports or do other activities that may cause strain to your eye.

 

  • Regular Eye Check-Ups

 

If you detect glaucoma at the early stages, you can ease vision loss. Hence, it is crucial to have regular eye check-ups. Your ophthalmologist can suggest the right screening schedule. 

At Zamindar Microsurgical Eye Centre, it is always our endeavor to educate our patients about the prevention and treatment of the disease at an early stage. We always urge you to get your eyes checked regularly if you are above 40 and above 30 if you have a family history of glaucoma. Let’s Outsmart Glaucoma by diagnosing it an early stage. 

For any assistance, you can call us at : 080 41686676/ 8123752250 (WhatsApp)