Information on Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can damage your vision and lead to blindness. It happens when the pressure inside your eye (called intraocular pressure or IOP) becomes too high and harms the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual signals to your brain. Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages. That is why it is important to get regular eye exams and check your eye pressure.

There are different types of glaucoma, but the most common ones are

• Open-angle glaucoma-

This occurs when the fluid that normally drains from your eye through the drainage angle becomes blocked or does not flow out fast enough. This causes the fluid to build up and increase the eye pressure.

• Angle-closure glaucoma-
• This occurs when the iris (the colored part of your eye) blocks the drainage angle completely or partially, preventing the fluid from escaping. This can cause a sudden and severe rise in eye pressure and pain, which is a medical emergency.

Glaucoma can damage vision before you notice any symptoms. So be aware of these risk factors:

• High internal eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure
• Age over 55
• Family history of glaucoma
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure
• Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Eye injury or certain types of eye surgery
• Taking corticosteroid medicines, especially eye drops, for a long time
• Some people have narrow drainage angles, putting them at increased risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is to get diagnosed and treated at the earliest. At Dr. Om Parkash Eye Institute, our team of expert doctors can perform tests to check your eye pressure, examine your optic nerve, and assess your peripheral vision. With years of experience and cutting edge technology like OCT (anterior and posterior segment), perimetry (Humphrey’s visual field analyser), pachymetry, tonometers, fundus cameras etc, we can help catch the disease even in unsuspecting cases.

Depending on the type and severity of your glaucoma, we can discuss and prescribe various treatment options like

• Eye drops: These are medications that lower your eye pressure by either reducing the amount of fluid your eye produces or increasing the flow of fluid out of your eye. You need to use them regularly as directed by your doctor.
• Laser treatment: This is a procedure that uses a beam of light to make small changes in your eye tissue to improve the drainage of fluid or reduce the production of fluid. It is usually done in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia.
• Surgery: This is an operation that creates a new opening for the fluid to drain from your eye or implants a device to help the fluid flow out. It is usually done in a hospital under general anesthesia.

Glaucoma may be a silent thief, but it doesn’t have to rob you of your vision. By taking steps to prevent and manage this condition, you can protect your eyesight and continue to live a fulfilling life. Remember to schedule regular eye exams, take care of your health, and stay informed about glaucoma and its treatment options.