Glaucoma
What Happens In Glaucoma
Glaucoma causes raised pressure in the eye, which leads to impairment of visual fields and finally vision loss. Glaucoma is the most serious eyesight threatening condition. It usually manifests as a painless, gradual loss of vision. The lost vision can never be recovered. However, medical or surgical treatment can prevent or retard further loss of vision.Contact your ophthalmologist If you have a family history of glaucoma or you observe any signs pointing towards glaucoma to determine the right treatment option for you.
Do Not Confuse Glaucoma with a Cataract
Many times it can be confused with a cataract which also manifests as a painless, gradual loss of vision. The difference is that in the case of cataract, the loss of vision is fully recoverable using a simple surgery called Phaco.
Our eyes contain a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which is continuously produced in the eye to bath and nourish the structures inside it. The fluid normally drains out of the eye through drainage canals in a fine meshwork located around the edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil). In people with glaucoma, the fluid fails to drain due to some defect and thus increases the pressure inside the eyes called raised Intraocular Pressure (IOP) (or Tension)
Symptoms
Advanced Technology & Diagnostic Tools
Glaucoma Treatment
Glaucoma is a chronic (long-lasting) progressive condition. Any vision loss that had occurred, before glaucoma was diagnosed, cannot be reversed.
- Medicines: Medicines, in the form of eye drops or pills, are the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Some medicines cause the eye to make less fluid. Others lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye. Glaucoma medicines may be taken several times a day. Since glaucoma often has no symptoms, people may be tempted to stop taking or may forget to take, their medicine. You need to use the drops or pills as long as they help control your eye pressure. Regular use is essential.
- Laser peripheral iridectomy-Patients with narrow, occlude-able angles or who have an attack of acute angle closure glaucoma are treated with laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). Laser peripheral iridotomy involves creating a tiny opening in the peripheral iris, allowing aqueous fluid to flow from behind the iris directly to the anterior chamber of the eye. It typically results in resolution of the forwardly bowed iris and, thereby, an opening up of the angle of the eye. The narrow or closed angle thus becomes an open angle.
- Glaucoma Filtering Surgery: This procedure allows your eye surgeon to create a new drainage channel for the eye, which results in a filtering area called a “bleb”. The bleb is mostly hidden under the eyelid. When successful, this procedure will lower the pressure in your eye, minimizing the risk of further visual loss from glaucoma.
Glaucoma Treatment
If you are over 40 years old, have a family history of glaucoma or are of Asian/African or Hispanic heritage, you have a higher chance of developing glaucoma. Other risk factors include:
- Hypertension
- High myopia or hyperopia
- Experienced a previous eye injury/surgery
- Diabetes or other health concerns
Regular follow-ups and compliance with medications suggested by your glaucoma experts and scheduled investigations help you keep your glaucoma well controlled. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption and nutritious diet are also beneficial.
Glaucoma is inherited, and having a family history of the condition has increased chances of developing glaucoma. If you have a positive family history of glaucoma, you should be conscious of the symptoms and see the ophthalmologist timely for scheduled tests. It offers you an early diagnosis of glaucoma. This helps us in proper management of glaucoma and prevention of further visual field loss.
Glaucoma causes irreversible visual field losses. The treatment is focused on preserving vision as uncontrolled glaucoma may lead to total lost of vision. If diagnosed timely and managed well, vision loss can be prevented.