Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is often called the “Silent killer of vision” or "Silent thief of sight" because it typically has no symptoms in its early stages.

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.

This damage is often caused by high pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). 

Glaucoma is an eye condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve, often without early symptoms. 

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection. There is no cure for glaucoma, but treatments like eye drops, laser therapy, and surgery can slow or stop its progression. 

• Loss of peripheral (side) vision.

• Tunnel vision.

• Difficulty seeing in low light.

• Episodes of eye pain, coloured halos around lights, blurred vision, red eyes, nausea, and vomiting.

• Regular Eye Exams: The best way to detect glaucoma, especially in its early stages, is through regular comprehensive eye exams.

• Several tests may be done, including:

1. Measuring intraocular pressure, also called tonometry.

2. Testing for optic nerve damage with a dilated eye exam and imaging tests (OCT).

3. Checking for areas of vision loss, also known as a visual field test.

4. Measuring corneal thickness with an exam called pachymetry.

5. Inspecting the drainage angle, also known as gonioscopy.

1. Age: The risk increases with age, particularly after 60. 

2. Family History: Having a family history of glaucoma increases your risk. 

3. Ethnicity: Glaucoma is more common and can cause blindness more frequently in certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanics.

There is no permanent cure for glaucoma, and any lost vision cannot be recovered. 

However, its progression can be prevented by treatment.

If you have glaucoma, the best thing you can do is follow your eye care specialist’s guidance on treating and managing this condition. 

These can include:

• Not ignoring new symptoms or vision changes

• Seeing your ophthalmologist regularly and following all instructions particularly related to antiglaucoma medication. 

• Severe eye pain 

• Headaches

• Double vision (diplopia) or blurred vision

• Nausea and vomiting that happen with eye pain/pressure

• Rainbow-colored halos around lights

• Vision loss of any kind

• Eye Drops:

  • Prescription of eye drops are the most common treatment and work by reducing fluid production or improving its drainage. 

• Laser Treatment:

  • Lasers can be used to improve the drainage angle of the eye or create a new drainage path for the fluid. 

• Surgery:

  • If other treatments are not effective, surgery may be recommended to help the fluid drain from the eye.