Eye health and care: Glaucoma is an eye condition that, if ignored, can lead to permanent blindness. The optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain, is damaged by the condition. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to gradual loss of peripheral vision and eventual blindness. Glaucoma usually progresses gradually over time.
A condition called increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which is a leading cause of blindness and is commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60, is a type of glaucoma caused by pressure in the eye. Low intracranial pressure can increase the risk of this condition.
According to the National Health Portal, “Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts. Millions of people are blinded by this disease, according to 2012 statistics. Despite this, glaucoma remains largely undiagnosed, with more than 90 percent of untreated cases. It has become a growing concern for the country. It is a progressive and irreversible condition of glaucoma blindness, early detection and treatment are of paramount importance.”
Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma damage is irreversible, so it must be detected and treated early to prevent blindness.
With any type of glaucoma, you may experience:
– Eye pain or pressure.
– Headache.
– Rainbow colored halos around lights.
– Visual impairment, blurred vision, restricted vision (tunnel vision) or blind spots.
– Nausea and vomiting.
– Red eyes.
dr JC Das, Sr. Most Glaucoma Specialist, says, “The current awareness and knowledge of glaucoma should be further expanded to ensure that people include eye exams in their routine health check-ups. A patient should see an ophthalmologist as soon as symptoms such as eye pain or blurry eyes appear. This will lead to an early intervention by an ophthalmologist and timely introduction of an appropriate treatment regimen.”
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What Causes Glaucoma?
Glaucoma can develop with no known cause, but several things can affect it. Intraocular pressure is the most important of these variables. Aqueous humor produced by your eyes nourishes them. This fluid travels through your pupil to the front of your eye. In a healthy eye, the fluid leaves your eye through the drainage channels between the iris and the cornea.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
dr Suneeta Dubey, Medical Director, Director of Glaucoma Services and Head of Quality Assurance at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, discusses the common risk factors for glaucoma: “Several factors can contribute to the development of glaucoma. In general, the average person has a 2.3% risk of developing glaucoma in their lifetime. However, certain factors can significantly increase the risk of developing glaucoma.”
“One of the most important risk factors is genetics, as individuals with a parent or sibling with glaucoma have a 10-fold increased risk of developing the disease. Other factors that can increase the risk of developing glaucoma include other medical conditions such as – or farsightedness, high blood pressure, diabetes or certain eye surgeries Age is also a significant risk factor, with the risk of glaucoma increasing significantly after the age of 60. B. Eye drops or systemic application. By understanding the various risk factors associated with glaucoma, individuals can take proactive steps to reduce their risk,” mentions Dr. Suneeta further.
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Preventive treatment for glaucoma
The best way to maintain your eye health and stop vision loss is early glaucoma screening through routine eye exams.
With proper and timely treatment, further vision loss can be prevented. Regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist are recommended.
In addition to the actions to be taken, Dr. Deven Tuli, Senior Consultant of Glaucoma at ASG Narang Eye Center in New Delhi: “While there is no preventative treatment for glaucoma other than regular eye exams, there are certain steps you can take to manage your eye health. It includes taking vitamins and minerals necessary for good eye health (such as zinc, copper, selenium and vitamins A, C and E), adequate exercise (after consulting your doctor), limiting caffeine intake, drinking of plenty of fluids and sleeping with your head up and sticking strictly to your medication schedule.”
Early detection and treatment of glaucoma
Untreated glaucoma can lead to the rapid development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Therapies can prevent further vision loss, but cannot compensate for it. If you experience eye pain, an unbearable headache, or vision problems, it’s important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
It is important to emphasize the need for annual eye exams to detect glaucoma early and prevent vision loss. dr Rishi Jain, Medical Director, Allergan at AbbVie Company, emphasized the importance of timely intervention, saying, “Early detection is key to preventing vision loss as loss is irreversible. Visit an optometrist at least every two years to have your eyes checked.”
“The early symptoms of glaucoma are usually detectable during an eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, and perimetry are simple tests to detect increased eye pressure (tonometry), optic nerve damage (ophthalmoscopy), and vision loss (perimetry). In addition, your doctor may perform other procedures, such as gonioscopy and pachymetry, which measure the angle between the cornea and the iris becomes.”
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When to see a doctor
You should call your GP or nurse if you experience any of the following:
– Blurred or poor vision.
– Halos, eye floaters or flashers.
– Sudden severe eye pain or headache.
– Sensitivity to light.
– vision loss.
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