Glaucoma :

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, leading to damage to the eye’s optic nerve resulting in vision loss or even blindness.

What causes Glaucoma?

At the front of the eye, there is a small space called the anterior chamber. Clear fluid flows in and out of the chamber to bathe and nourish nearby tissues. In Glaucoma, for still unknown reasons, the fluid drains too slowly out of the eye. As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises. Unless this pressure is controlled, it may cause damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the eye and loss of vision.

How is it detected?

To detect Glaucoma the following tests are done:

Tonometry: This standard test determines the fluid pressure inside the eye. There are many types of Tonometry. One type is the “air puff,” test, which measures the resistance of the eye to a puff of air.

Visual Field: This test measures your side (peripheral) vision. It helps your doctor to find out if you have lost side vision, a sign of Glaucoma.

Pupil dilation: This examination provides your doctor with a better view of the optic nerve to check for signs of damage. To do this, drops are placed in the eye to dilate (widen) the pupil.

Optical Coherence Tomography: This is a newer diagnosis imaging technique which does high resolution cross sectional or tomographic imaging of biological tissues and hence helps in the early detection of glaucomatous optic nerve damage

SYMPTOMS:

Most types of Glaucoma cause no symptoms. Vision stays normal, and there is no pain. If Glaucoma remains untreated, people may notice that although they see things clearly in front of them, they miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. Without treatment, people with Glaucoma may find that they suddenly have no side vision. It seems as though they are looking through tunnel. Over time, the remaining forward vision may decrease until there is no vision left. Some forms however cause pain, redness, vomiting, decrease in vision and colored rings around bulbs.

Treatments:

Patients benefit from our state-of-the-art Glaucoma testing capabilities and specially trained Glaucoma staff who have expertise in the diagnosis and the medical and surgical management of primary, secondary and complicated Glaucoma.

Although Glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. The loss of vision that already exists cannot be recovered. This makes early diagnosis and treatment important to protect vision.

Glaucoma treatments include:

Medications: These may be either in the form of eye drops or pills. For most people with Glaucoma, regular use of medications will control the increased fluid pressure. But, these drugs may stop working overtime. Or they may cause side effects. If a problem occurs, your doctor may select other drugs, change the dose, or suggest other ways to deal with the problem.

Laser Surgery: During laser surgery, a strong beam of light is focused on the part of the interior chamber where the fluid leaves the eye. This results in a series of small changes, which makes it easier for fluid to exist the eye. Overtime, the effect of laser surgery may wear off. Patients who have this form of surgery may need to keep taking Glaucoma drugs.

Surgery: Surgery can also help fluid escape from the eye and thereby reduce the pressure. However, surgery is usually reserved for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with eye drops, pills or laser surgery.

FAQs:

Who is most likely to get it?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in India. Although anyone can get Glaucoma, some people are at higher risk. They include:

People over age of 45: While Glaucoma can develop in younger patients, it occurs more frequently as we get older.

People who have a family history of Glaucoma: Glaucoma appears to ‘run’ in families. The tendency for developing Glaucoma may be inherited. However, just because someone in your family has Glaucoma does not mean that you will necessarily develop the disease.

People with abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP): High IOP is the most important risk factor for Glaucomatous damage.

People who have Diabetes, Myopia, Regular, long-term Steroid/Cortisone use and a previous eye injury.

Article by

Sankara Eye care.