Glaucoma – What You Should Know?

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world only after cataract. It primarily affects the optic nerve with slow asymptomatic progression. It is irreversible and before the symptoms set in the damage occurred is proportionately larger.

ARE YOU AT RISK:

1) INCREASED INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE
2) AGE>40
3) FAMILY HISTORY
4) HYPERMETROPIA
5) SYSTEMIC DISORDERS: Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Stroke
6) USE OF CERTAIN MEDICATIONS
7) OCULAR TRAUMA

HOW IT PRESENTS:

Peripheral vision may begin to decrease followed by central vision and ultimately blindness if not treated. Sudden presentation may involve severe pain, redness, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE:

1) Visual assessment
2) Intraocular pressure measurement
3) Visualizing Angle of the eye
4) Measuring corneal thickness
5) Fundus examination
6) Visual field assessment
7) Retinal nerve fiber layer imaging

TREATMENT:

The main goal is early recognition and initiation of treatment to halt or slow the progression of the disease. The various methods of treatment:

1) MEDICAL TREATMENT
2) LASER THERAPY
3) SURGICAL PROCEDURES
4) COMBINATION THERAPY

FOLLOW-UP:

Equally important to treatment is regular follow up if you have glaucoma. As most treatment is life long, frequent follow up helps in maintaining the target pressure and to observe the progress and intervening early if needed.

DON’T TURN A BLIND EYE TO GLAUCOMA

DON’T TURN BLIND

CONQUER GLAUCOMABlog reviewed by: Dr. Lalit Kumar
Mail Us: amrithospitalchennai@gmail.com
Book an appointment: amrithospitals.com/book-an-appointment

Authored By Dr. Lalit Kumar