Is it possible to prevent the development of glaucoma?

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Glaucoma - Treatment & Surgery Options In Delhi, India

The most serious condition that poses a threat to vision is glaucoma. Usually, it causes a painless, progressive loss of vision. The lost eyesight is irretrievably lost. However, medical or surgical intervention can stop or slow further eyesight loss.

Who is at a Risk for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma can affect anyone. There are those who are more at risk than others. They consist of:

Everyone over the age of 40 yrs.
People with family history of glaucoma.
Diabetics
People with near sightedness (Myopia) for open angle type and far sightedness (hyperopia) for close angle type
People with Hypertension
People with Migraines

Common Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma can steal your sight slowly, without you even noticing at first. But there are some warning signs to look out for, especially if you don't get treatment:

Eye pain in the dark: This can happen after you leave a movie theater or another dark place.
Seeing rainbow rings around lights: You might see colorful circles around light bulbs, especially in the morning or evening.
Needing new glasses often: Your prescription might change frequently.
Headaches, eye pain, and redness: Your eyes might feel uncomfortable and sore.
Trouble seeing in low light: You might have a hard time seeing at night or in dimly lit rooms.
Losing side vision slowly: Over time, your vision might start to tunnel in, like looking through a tube.

Types of Glaucoma

1. Open-Angle Glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma is a type of glaucoma where the tiny channels that drain fluid out of your eye get clogged slowly over time. This is like a clogged sink drain, but instead of happening right under the drain, it's further inside the eye. Because the fluid can't drain properly, the pressure inside your eye builds up. This high pressure can damage your vision if left untreated. The worst part? Most people with open-angle glaucoma don't notice any problems at first. It can slowly steal your sight without you even realizing it. The good news is that if caught early, this type of glaucoma usually responds well to medication. It's more common in people with Caucasian ethnicity.

2. Angle-Closure Glaucoma (also called acute or narrow-angle glaucoma): This type of glaucoma is different from open-angle glaucoma. It's more common in Asians and can happen suddenly. Imagine your eye's drainage canals as a sink drain. In open-angle glaucoma, the drain gets clogged slowly. In angle-closure glaucoma, the drain opening is very narrow or blocked, like a drain covered by something. This can cause quick pressure buildup in the eye, leading to symptoms like nausea, headaches, severe eye pain, seeing rainbow rings around lights at night, and blurry vision. If you experience any of these, see a doctor right away because this type of glaucoma requires prompt treatment to avoid vision loss.

3. Low-Tension or Normal-Tension Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma, called Low-Tension or Normal-Tension Glaucoma, is tricky because the pressure inside the eye (IOP) might be normal or even a bit low. But even with normal pressure, the optic nerve, which is like the main cable for your vision, gets damaged. The good news is that medications that lower eye pressure by at least 30% can sometimes slow down this damage in some people. Doctors might also ask about your overall health history to see if there are other reasons why this might be happening, like low blood pressure. If they don't find any other causes, the treatment for this type of glaucoma is similar to the treatment for open-angle glaucoma.

4. Congenital Glaucoma: This type affects babies from birth because of a problem with the drainage angle in their eyes. This makes it hard for fluid to drain out properly, causing pressure to build up. Unlike adults, babies with glaucoma often show clear signs like cloudy eyes, watering, and being bothered by bright lights. Since medicine can be tricky for babies and might have unexpected side effects, doctors usually recommend surgery. The good news is that this surgery is safe and effective, and if done early, these babies have a good chance of keeping good vision.

5. Secondary Glaucoma Types: Sometimes other health problems can cause glaucoma too, like this "secondary" type. This can happen from things like bad cataracts, injuries to the eye, or even certain eye tumors. There's also a kind linked to diabetes and another where pigment flakes off in the eye and clogs the drainage system. Even some medications, like those used to treat eye swelling, can rarely lead to glaucoma. The good news is there are treatments for all these types, including medicines, laser surgery, and traditional surgery. If you have any eye problems or concerns, talk to your doctor to see if glaucoma might be a risk for you.

Glaucoma: Your Questions Answered

What is glaucoma and how serious is it?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. A healthy optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma increases the pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It is important to detect glaucoma early and begin treatment to prevent vision loss.

Can glaucoma develop without any symptoms?

Yes, glaucoma often develops without any symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, it is very important to undergo regular eye examinations, especially if you are at risk.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

An ophthalmologist can diagnose glaucoma using several tests, including:

Measuring intraocular pressure.
Fundus examination: The doctor examines the back of the eye to assess the health of the optic nerve.
Visual field test: This test can determine if you have areas of visual field loss.

How often should you have your eyes checked for glaucoma?

The recommended frequency of eye tests for glaucoma depends on your age and risk factors. Typically, your doctor will recommend getting tested once a year or every two years after age 40.

Is it possible to cure glaucoma completely?

Unfortunately, glaucoma cannot be completely cured. However, treatment can help control intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Treatment for glaucoma may include:

Medicinal drops.
Laser therapy.
Surgical intervention.

How does glaucoma affect everyday life?

In the early stages, glaucoma may not affect daily life. However, as the disease progresses, you may notice:

Loss of peripheral vision (side vision).
The emergence of "tunnel vision".
Difficulty driving at night.

Will I need to change my lifestyle if I have glaucoma?

While there is no way to completely prevent glaucoma, some lifestyle changes can help control eye pressure, such as:

Regular exercise.
Healthy eating.
To give up smoking.
Limit alcohol consumption.