Glaucoma is the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. In India alone, it affects around 12 million people; India is projected to become the world capital of glaucoma by 2020. The sight loss caused by glaucoma is progressive and, unlike cataract, is irreversible. Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent blindness.

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?

Glaucoma is a disease of the nerve for vision (optic nerve) caused by increased pressure in the eye.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF GLAUCOMA?

Glaucoma can lead to permanent loss of vision. Initially, the loss of vision starts from periphery and progressively affects the central vision. The central visual acuity is affected only in the advanced stage.

ARE ALL THE GLAUCOMAS SAME?

No, there are many types of glaucoma. Some of these are:

• Open-angle glaucoma, in which, despite of open drainage angle, the drainage does not occur
• Angle-closure (closed angle) glaucoma, in which, the angle itself is closed preventing fluid drainage
• Secondary glaucoma, which occurs due to other eye disease or treatment

HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER I HAVE GLAUCOMA?

95% patients with glaucoma do not have any symptoms. Glaucoma is a silent disease that cannot be detected or felt by the patient since central vision remains unaffected till the late stages of the disease. Hence it is rightly called as the ‘sneak thief of sight’. It is usually detected during a routine eye checkup.

WHEN SHOULD I GO FOR EYE CHECKUP?

Everyone over the age of 40 years should have a detailed eye check up, at least when one needs reading glasses. Hence it is advisable to not stop with visiting an optician alone.
Those who have additional risk factors should undergo an early evaluation.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH GLAUCOMA?

If you

• have blood relatives with glaucoma
• have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or thyroid disease
• are nearsighted
• are on treatment with steroids (in the form of tablets, skin ointments, inhalers, eye drops)
• have a history of trauma

You will need an early check up if you have any of the above symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE TESTS I NEED TO UNDERGO?

Tests help in finding out the presence of glaucoma and also its progression in the subsequent follow ups.
These tests include;

• Tonometry: To measure the pressure in the eye
• Gonioscopy: To assess the drainage angle
• Ophthalmoscopy: To view the optic nerve
• Pachymetry: To check the thickness of cornea
• Perimetry: To assess the field of vision

All these tests are painless.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Glaucoma is a treatable disease that needs early detection as the damage is not reversible. The treatment can include medicines, laser or surgery.
The medicines either decrease the production of the fluid or increase the drainage of the fluid so as to keep the eye pressure under control as determined by your doctor. You may need lifelong treatment as per the instructions given by doctor.
Lasers are used in the treatment of glaucoma to increase the flow of fluid.
When medical or laser treatment fails, you may need surgery.

DOES TREATMENT RESTORE THE LOST VISION?

Treatment of glaucoma aims at preserving the existing vision; it does not restore the vision that is already lost. Therefore, early detection and treatment are very important.

L.T Eye care is equipped with the latest diagnostic facilities including,

• Perimeters – Humphrey Visual Field Analyser, VFA Octopus and Humphrey Matrix.
• Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Analysers
  – Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  – GDX
  – Heidelberg Retinal Tomogram (HRT-3)
• Ultrasound Pachymetry.
• Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.
• Anterior Segment OCT (AS-OCT).
• Newer Tonometers – Tonopen, I-Care, Dynamic Contour Tonometer, ORA.