Glaucoma is a very misunderstood disease. Often, people don't realize the severity or who is affected. Glaucoma can cause irreversible blindness if it is left untreated. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma from babies to senior citizens.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of permanent irreversible blindness. Glaucoma occurs due to fluid building up in the eye as it does not have space to leave the eye. This leads to increased intraocular pressure causing damage to the optic nerve.
The optic nerve is made of more than a million tiny nerve fibers - like an electric cable made up of many small wires. As these nerve fibers die, you will develop loss in peripheral vision. You won't notice blind spots until most of your optic nerve fibers have died. If all of the fibers die, you will become blind.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma, often hereditary and asymptomatic until the late stages, when peripheral vision loss becomes noticeable. It develops gradually as the eye’s drainage system fails to function properly, causing a buildup of intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless and causes no vision changes in its early stages, making it difficult to detect without regular checkups.
Some individuals have optic nerves that are more sensitive to normal eye pressure, putting them at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Regular eye exams are essential for detecting early signs of optic nerve damage and preventing vision loss, especially for those with a family history of glaucoma or other risk factors.
Angle-closure glaucoma, also known as narrow-angle glaucoma, is more common among the elderly and individuals with small eyes. It occurs when the iris is positioned very close to the drainage angle in the eye, potentially blocking it. This blockage is similar to a piece of paper covering a sink drain. When the drainage angle is fully obstructed, eye pressure rises rapidly, leading to an acute attack—a true eye emergency that requires immediate medical attention to prevent blindness.
In many cases, people develop chronic angle-closure glaucoma slowly, with no initial symptoms. They remain unaware of the condition until significant damage occurs or they experience an attack. Approximately 30% of individuals with angle-closure glaucoma will have a sudden blockage, resulting in an acute attack. Regular eye exams are vital for early detection and prevention.
If untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness. Globally, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness (behind cataracts), according to the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, some people have a higher than normal risk of getting glaucoma. If you fall in to any category below you are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma:
If you have a family with history of Glaucoma
If your age is above 40 years
If you feel high pressure on eyes
If you are farsighted or nearsighted
If you are suffering with high blood pressure
If you have uncontrolled diabetes
If you have a history of an eye injury
The only way to diagnose glaucoma is with a complete eye exam. A glaucoma screening that only checks eye pressure is not enough to check for glaucoma. During Glaucoma evaluation, your ophthalmologist will:
It follows a non-contact high-resolution imaging of the optic disc for the early diagnosis of glaucoma.
It helps in the Visual Field Testing for diagnosis of glaucoma and comfortable for the patient to get better results.
Conservative treatments such as eye drops and oral medications can be used in the early stages of glaucoma to control the amount of fluid in the eye and improve the outward flow. Medications for glaucoma are in the form of eye drops or tablets, as per the requirements. If your eye doctor has advised any eyedrops for glaucoma do not stop or change them without his/her permission. Glaucoma drops are usually advised for lifetime and hence one must not miss his/her daily dose to control the pressure.
Due to long term use of these eye drops, they can cause minor side effects which can be noticed after a long time. They are:
Surgery can alleviate severe drainage issues by manually creating a new path or placing an implant. Surgical treatment is advised when pressure is not controlled medically. Glaucoma can be safely treated at Shiv Jyoti Eye Hospital using advanced surgical treatment options below:
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. If you are experiencing glaucoma symptoms or have neglected to undergo regular eye exams, contact Shiv Jyoti Eye Hospital to schedule an evaluation. Timely treatment can help control your condition and prevent vision loss.
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