Essential Facts About Glaucoma You Should Know

Article Reviewed By: Dr. Shradha Goel

Table of Contents

Facts about Glaucoma:

What is Glaucoma?

Types of Glaucoma

Causes and Risk Factors

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention and Management:

Living with Glaucoma

Don’t Let Glaucoma Hold You Back!

Have you ever heard of glaucoma? It’s a term often used in conversations on eye health, but many people don’t know the basic facts about glaucoma. Glaucoma is not just one condition but a group of eye conditions that can ultimately lead to vision loss and blindness. 

Understanding glaucoma is important because it can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, yet it can have significant long-term effects on vision if left untreated.

Understanding glaucoma is essential because early detection can significantly affect treatment.

In this article, we will explore some basic facts about glaucoma to stay informed and understand its types.

Facts about Glaucoma:

Glaucoma, an often misunderstood eye condition, can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated since its symptoms are generally missed until the advanced stage. That’s why the significance of regular eye exams is emphasized for early detection. Raising awareness about glaucoma is vital, as understanding its risks and symptoms can significantly aid in its management and prevention. Education on this condition is essential for lowering the occurrence of preventable vision loss and maintaining eye health.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve, which plays a crucial role in vision. This damage often results from abnormally high intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, particularly in individuals over 60. However, glaucoma-related blindness may often be avoided with early treatment.

Types of Glaucoma:

There are two main types of glaucoma:

1. Open-angle glaucoma: The most prevalent kind, in which the eye fails to drain fluid as it should, resulting in ocular pressure.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma: This type is less common and occurs when the iris is near the eye’s drainage angle. This can restrict the drainage angle, dramatically raising ocular pressure.

If you notice some weird things about your eyes, it is always better to get them checked by your glaucoma specialist in Mumbai to gain a better understanding of your symptoms and possible treatments. 

Causes and Risk Factors:

The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown, but several factors increase the risk of developing this condition:

• Age: Individuals over the age of 60 are at a higher risk, especially for primary open-angle glaucoma. The risk increases with each decade after 40.

• Family History: A history of glaucoma increases the risk of developing the condition.

• Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sickle cell anemia can increase the risk.

• Eye Conditions and Injuries: Severe eye injuries, thin corneas, and conditions that cause increased eye pressure can lead to glaucoma.

• Increased Eye Pressure (Intraocular Pressure or IOP): High intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma. This increased pressure has the potential to harm the optic nerve.
• Myopia (Nearsightedness): People with myopia are at an increased risk for certain types of glaucoma.

Symptoms:

Glaucoma is commonly called the “silent thief of sight” since it usually causes no symptoms in the early stages. Some common facts about glaucoma symptoms in the advanced stages may include:

• Patchy blind spots in your peripheral or central vision, often in both eyes.
• Tunnel vision in advanced stages.

It’s important to note that these symptoms typically aren’t apparent until glaucoma has progressed significantly. Regular eye exams are essential for early detection and management, as glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. 

Diagnosis:

Early detection and treatment are crucial in managing glaucoma and preventing significant vision loss. If you are at higher risk for glaucoma (due to factors like age, family history, or pre-existing medical conditions), regular eye exams are essential. During an eye exam, your doctor will:

• Test your vision.
• Measure your eye pressure.
• Inspect your eye’s drainage angle.
• Examine your optic nerve for damage.
• Perform a visual field test to check for areas of vision loss.

Treatment:

While glaucoma damage is irreversible, treatment can slow or prevent vision loss. Treatment usually focuses on lowering eye pressure, and there are different treatment procedures, which include:

• Medications: The initial approach is generally prescription eye drops. These drops are intended to reduce eye pressure by either lowering the amount of fluid produced by the eye or enhancing its flow out of the eye. 

• Laser Therapy:  If eye drops are inadequate or inappropriate, laser treatment may be an alternative. This therapy promotes fluid evacuation from the eye, lowering ocular pressure. 
• Surgery: When medications and laser treatment fail to produce the desired outcomes, surgery may be required. Surgical operations aim to build a new pathway for fluid drainage, decreasing intraocular pressure. There are several types of glaucoma surgeries, and the one chosen is determined by the type of glaucoma and its severity. Consulting with the best eye surgeon in Mumbai is recommended for a personalized treatment plan.

Prevention and Management:

While you can’t prevent glaucoma, with the help of specific practices, you can protect your eyesight:

• Get regular eye examinations.
• Know your family’s eye health history.
• Exercise safely to help reduce eye pressure.
• Wearing protective eyewear when engaging in activities that could harm your eyes is important.
• Use prescribed eye drops regularly if you are at risk.

Living with Glaucoma

Several facts about glaucoma are still misinterpreted, and that’s why many people think that if you get glaucoma, then you will eventually become blind. But there are still ways through which you can live a  normal life with glaucoma. All you have to do is make a few adjustments to your life. 

• Regular monitoring and treatment.
• Being aware of and managing any vision changes.
• Ensuring good lighting at home to help with vision.
• Using visual aids as needed.

Don’t Let Glaucoma Hold You Back!

Understanding glaucoma is crucial for its early detection and effective management. This eye condition can pose a severe health challenge if not addressed promptly. Still, with early diagnosis and proper care, preserving vision and maintaining a good quality of life is possible. 

Regular eye examinations are the most effective way to catch glaucoma in its early stages, so it’s essential to include these in your routine healthcare plan. 

For those seeking expert care, Arohi Eye Hospital offers renowned treatments with a team of experienced professionals. Schedule your appointment with us to ensure your eye health is in the best hands.

Dr. Shradha Goel

Dr. Shradha Goel, Chief Surgeon at Arohi Eye Hospital, is a renowned Phaco-LASIK surgeon with over 10,000 surgeries to her credit. She earned her MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and a Master’s in Ophthalmology from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. As a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Goel specialises in LASIK, refractive errors, and cataract treatments.