Dr. Niteen Dedhia
July 18, 2022 | Author: Admin
July 18, 2022
Overview
Glaucoma is a serious medical condition related to the eyes. If left untreated, it may silently cause permanent loss of vision. It damages the optic nerve (nerve of your eyes).
The risk factors for glaucoma include:-
- Age: Risk increases with age
- Family History of glaucoma: It runs in families, which means that you are more likely to get it if you have a family history of glaucoma.
- Increased eye pressure ( intraocular pressure )
- Increased risk in patients with High myopia, Diabetes, hypertension
- Due to increased pressure in the eye, the nerve of the eye ( optic nerve ) that sends the image to the brain is damaged, and as a result, peripheral vision and later central vision is severely affected. Most people suffering from glaucoma would not notice any kind of symptoms and it damages vision silently.
What Are The Causes Of Glaucoma?
Due to multiple reasons, the fluid pressure of the eye maybe increased leading to damage to nerve cells (neurons) resulting in loss of vision.
Seven Facts About Glaucoma
- You may not have any kind of pain or other signs and symptoms in the early stages of glaucoma. Only advanced type of closed angle glaucoma may present with pain, redness, watering.
- Glaucoma if untreated results in advanced vision loss. This vision loss may be permanent and cannot be reversed. The increased pressure has already damaged the nerves of the eyes that cannot be reversed.
- According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, an estimated 3 million people in America suffer from glaucoma. It has also revealed that about 12 per cent of all blindness is caused by glaucoma. However, glaucoma is a common eye condition but we still need to increase its awareness amongst general public.
- Certain factors increase the risk of getting affected by glaucoma. Therefore, it is very important to understand the risk factors for glaucoma. In addition, by knowing the risk factors, people may get aware of how frequently and important it is to consult an eye doctor for an eye examination.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is beneficial. Glaucoma can be recognized in its early stages by going for a regular eye exam. The doctor can detect glaucoma by performing some specialised eye tests.
- Glaucoma can be treated , but damage once done cannot be reversed.
Types of surgeries are used such as:-
- YAG PI Laser: This is used if you suffer from narrow-angle (closed angle type) glaucoma. The person suffering from narrow-angle glaucoma is at a higher risk of getting affected by vision loss. In this surgery, a small hole in the corner of the eye is made. It enhances the outflow of fluid through the eye, equalizing the pressure between the compartments of the eye.
- SLT Laser: This is a pain-free option. In this process, the doctor will increase the width of the fluid channels to increase the outflow of the fluids accumulated inside the eyes.
Anyone can be affected by glaucoma. Glaucoma can affect anyone, but certain risk factors can increase the chances of getting affected by it. Some of these risk factors are:-
- People have a family history of glaucoma.
- People aged over 60.
- Mexican Americans are at a high risk of getting affected by glaucoma.
- If you have a thin cornea at its centre, you are also at high risk.
- Diabetes, hypertension
- High Myopia
Conclusion
There are several treatment options available for medical and surgical management of glaucoma. These treatments can help reduce the pressure inside the eyes and help relieve its symptoms.
