Glaucoma Is the leading cause of blindness in India, learn how treat and get rid of it
Glaucoma is the third leading cause of blindness. The largest cause of blindness is cataracts, but it is a reversible condition, whereas vision damage due to glaucoma can never be recovered. It is estimated that *12 million people are affected accounting for 12.8 % of the country`s blindness. This is expected to grow to 16 million by Two Thousand Twenty (20/20).
Glaucoma is caused by a pressure which builds up in the eyes, which can cause blindness. It affects both eyes, but not always to the same extent in each. A fluid known as aqueous nourishes the front part of the eye. In a normal eye the fluid gets continually drained which helps maintain optimal pressure inside the eye. With age, disease, trauma or other factors, the channels draining aqueous (nourishing fluid of the eye) get blocked. This results in increased pressure inside the eye which damages the optic nerve.
WHAT IS OPTIC NERVE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?
Optic nerves transfer visual messages to the brain. It is important to cure it because when it gets damaged it impairs visual ability of an individual.
WHO IS AT GLAUCOMA RISK?
Anyone can get Glaucoma. But, if your family history suffers from glaucoma the you are at higher risk of getting it.
WHO ARE MORE AT RISK?
- 45 years of age or above
- A Diabetic person, hypertension and hormonal concern like hypothyroidism
- People who use steroid since a long period of time
- Had ocular trauma or intra ocular surgery in the past
SYMPTOMS AND DEFINITION OF GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma affects your vision silently there no symptoms of starting. In the most common type of Glaucoma (chronic) known as Side Angle Glaucoma periphery vision gets affected first. The affected people may not notice the loss of vision and by the time they visit an ophthalmologist, they may have lost quite a vision –which can never be regained because of permanent damage to the optic nerve—before it gets diagnosed. Sometimes later it leads to a stage of a tunnel vision, where you can just see straight and it can eventually lead to blindness.
In Angle Closure or (acute) Glaucoma there is a sudden rise in eye pressure and it can cause severe eye pain, blurred vision, sudden visual disturbances, halos around lights, reddening of the eye, nausea and vomiting. This latter form usually requires immediate treatment.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS TO CURE YOUR VISION FROM GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma can be controlled but cannot be cure it can be controlled by damaging to the optic nerve and can be slowed or halted. This can only be done through regular treatment from an glaucoma specialist (ophthalmologists). The treatment of glaucoma is life-long.
WHAT DOES THE MANAGEMENT OF GLAUCOMA ENTAIL?
Your ophthalmologist will manage Glaucoma through following methods:
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT: In this method the ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to be instilled in the affected eye.
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT includes a procedure where an opening is made to create a new drainage pathway for the fluid to leave the eye easily.
MANAGEMENT BY LASERS include procedures such as trabeculoplasty, in which a laser is used to pull open the trabecularmesh work drainage area to reduce the pressure inside the eye.
HOW TO PREVENT GLAUCOMA
There is no proven way to prevent glaucoma. Frequent monitoring, regular checkups can help detect the disease in its early stage. Glaucoma can affect any age group, including newborn, infants, children and elderly. Blindness from glaucoma is irreversible. Early detection is the key to preserve vision.
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