On the occasion of World Glaucoma Day, we wish to take initiative to spread awareness about the second biggest cause of blindness. This blog will take you through everything about Glaucoma, divided into the following sections:
1. Overview of the disease
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Prevention
5. Risk Factors
6. Diagnosis and Treatment
⦁ Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve inside the eyes. The optic nerve is vital for proper vision. The damage is often caused due to abnormally high pressure on the eye.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people above the age of 60. Glaucoma can occur at any age, however, it is much more common in adults as compared to teenagers or children.
⦁ Symptoms
The symptoms vary depending on the type of Glaucoma and the stage of the condition.
A] Open Angle Glaucoma
– Patchy Blind Spots
– Tunnel Vision
B] Acute angle-closure Glaucoma
– Headache
– Eye Pain
– Nausea and Vomiting
– Blurred Vision
– Eye Redness
⦁ Causes
Glaucoma is caused due to damage to the optic nerve, due to heightened pressure on the eye. The pressure slowly deteriorates the nerve leading to gradual blindness.
Excessive eye pressure is due to the formation of fluids (aqueous jokes) flowing inside your eyes. This internal fluid usually releases tissue called trabecular meshwork into the corner where the iris and cornea meet. When the fluid is overused or the drainage system does not work properly, the fluid cannot flow at its normal rate, and the eye pressure increases.
Glaucoma can also be hereditary. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze your family’s eye health history.
⦁ Prevention
Several forms of Glaucoma don’t show any kind of warnings, so it is necessary to get your eye pressure checked regularly, so that it may be diagnosed at an early stage and be treated appropriately.
Here are some self-care steps to help detect glaucoma at an early stage
1. Get regular dilated eye examinations.
2. Know your family’s eye history.
3. Exercise safely and adopt a program, by consulting with your eye doctor.
4. Wear eye protection
5. Take prescribed eye drops, on consultation with your eye doctor.
⦁ Risk Factors
You should be aware of the following risk factors, to diagnose them in an early stage.
1. Having high intraocular pressure.
2. Being over 60 years old.
3. Family History
4. Having corneas thin in the center
5. Extreme near or farsightedness
6. Taking eyedrops for a long time.
⦁ Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis:
The doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye examination and analyze your, medical history.
He/She may perform a few tests for in depts analysis.
⦁ Tonometry
⦁ Pachymetry
⦁ Gonioscopy
⦁ Visual field test
⦁ Optic nerve damage test.
Upon diagnosis, your condition’s stage of affection will be analyzed and you will be treated accordingly.
Glaucoma is major blindness causing diseases and it is always better to prevent it or get it diagnosed as early as possible. Do take care of your family and friends and spread Glaucoma awareness this Glaucoma Day.
Apart from sharing this blog, if you want to do more, to spread awareness about the disease, you may visit https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/