Glaucoma is the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. In India alone, it affects around 12 million people; India is projected to become the world capital of glaucoma by 2020. The sight loss caused by glaucoma is progressive and, unlike cataract, is irreversible. Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent blindness.
Glaucoma is a disease of the nerve for vision (optic nerve) caused by increased pressure in the eye.
The inside of the eye contains a fluid, which is being produced and drained out of the eye constantly. It is drained through a sieve like structure situated at the angle between the transparent cornea and the brown coloured iris. When the drainage mechanism becomes ineffective, the pressure in the eye (intra-ocular pressure) increases leading to optic nerve damage.
Glaucoma can lead to permanent loss of vision. Initially, the loss of vision starts from periphery and progressively affects the central vision. The central visual acuity is affected only in the advanced stage.
Progressive loss of visual field with corresponding loss optic nerve damage
No, there are many types of glaucoma. Some of these are:
95% patients with glaucoma do not have any sypmtoms. Glaucoma is a silent disease that cannot be detected or felt by the patient since central vision remains unaffected till the late stages of the disease. Hence it is rightly called as the ‘sneak thief of sight’. It is usually detected during a routine eye checkup.
Everyone over the age of 40 years should have a detailed eye check up, at least when one needs reading glasses. Hence it is advisable to not stop with visiting an optician alone. Those who have additional risk factors should undergo an early evaluation.
If you
You will need an early check up if you have any of the above symptoms.
Tests help in finding out the presence of glaucoma and also its progression in the subsequent follow ups. These tests include;
All these tests are painless.
Glaucoma is a treatable disease that needs early detection as the damage is not reversible. The treatment can include medicines, laser or surgery. The medicines either decrease the production of the fluid or increase the drainage of the fluid so as to keep the eye pressure under control as determined by your doctor. You may need lifelong treatment as per the instructions given by doctor. Lasers are used in the treatment of glaucoma to increase the flow of fluid. When medical or laser treatment fails, you may need surgery.
Treatment of glaucoma aims at preserving the existing vision; it does not restore the vision that is already lost. Therefore, early detection and treatment are very important.
.
Department of Lahan Eye Care Centre (patna)Glaucoma at is equipped with the latest diagnostic facilities including,