Understanding Glaucoma : Why should you check your eyes after you turn 40?
~Authored by Dr.HashwardhanGhorpade, Consultant, Ophthalmology Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi A Fortis Network Hospital~
Glaucoma is an asymptomatic blinding condition of the eye. Sometimes severe headache, eye pain, the feeling of nausea and vomiting, blurring vision, and seeing halos around lights, can be associated with the condition that one must not ignore.
In India, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness with at least 12 million people affected, and nearly 1.2 million people blind from the disease. More than 90 % of cases of glaucoma remain undiagnosed in the community due to a lack of awareness. Early detection and treatment are crucial. Comprehensive dilated eye exams can help detect glaucoma in its early stages, possibly preventing it from causing further harm and loss of vision.
During world glaucoma month, I would like to urge people to take note of any signs or symptoms you or your loved ones may experience and consult an eye specialist. It is extremely significant that after the age of 40, people should get their eyes checked every year. The screening process involves optic nerve examination, measurement of eye pressure, and in suspicious cases tests like perimetry and OCT. It is also very important to understand what glaucoma is and how it impacts the overall wellbeing of a person.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease that involves damage to the optic nerve of the eye causing permanent blindness due to a rise in pressure within the eye. The rise in pressure is gradual and the damage is slow. As a result, there are hardly any symptoms and the patients mainly approach a doctor when half of their vision is lost and therefore glaucoma is called the sneak thief of the eye!
Who are the ones at risk?
Well, those with a family history of glaucoma, people with minus power, those above the age of 40 years, history of eye injury like tennis ball hit in the past, people on steroids for other diseases and also as an association of diabetes and hypertension. Sometimes certain eye diseases like inflammations are also associated with a rise in pressure.
At times in development-related issues, glaucoma can be present in small children called congenital or juvenile glaucoma and in adults, it may present as an acute rise in pressure called acute angle-closure glaucoma. But in most cases, it is undetected unless looked for by an eye doctor and therefore periodic examination is a must, especially with the above risk factors.
Another factor that can cause glaucoma is diabetes. Having diabetes doubles your odds of developing glaucoma. This extra pressure on the eyes caused by diabetes can damage the retina and the optic nerve. Some people slowly lose vision or see bright halos or colored rings around lights.
What are the treatment options?
Well, to control the eye pressure is the only way we can halt its progress. However, the damage which has already occurred cannot be reversed. For controlling pressure, we have eyedrops which can be given as a single dose or as combinations. If it remains uncontrolled then a laser procedure can be done. As a last resort, surgical control with filtration surgery or tube shunt procedures can be initiated.
Above all, it is important to catch the thief before it steals your vision! So regular eye checkups and early control of eye pressure are the key to fight this blinding disorder.