Glaucoma

Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight - Protecting Your Vision with Swarup Eye Centre

Glaucoma. It's a word that can strike fear into the hearts of many, and rightly so. Often dubbed the "silent thief of sight," glaucoma can gradually damage your optic nerve, leading to irreversible vision loss, often without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.

What is Glaucoma?

• Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain.
• In glaucoma the peripheral vision decreases so gradually that often the patient does not realize the problem till it is too late.

What Causes Glaucoma?

• Our eyes constantly produce a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which bathes and nourishes different regions of the eye (this is different from tears). Normally the fluid drains out of the eye through a 'drainage canal' located in the 'angle' of the eye, the junction between the cornea and the iris.
• In persons with glaucoma, the fluid does not drain out as freely as it should, thus increasing the pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).
• The optic nerve carries all sensations from the retina to the brain. Raised IOP damages the optic disc.

Types of Glaucoma

• Open Angle Glaucoma: An increase in resistance to the outflow in the canal causes a rise in the IOP. This type develops gradually and the symptoms may not be obvious till the damage has occurred.
• Angle Closure Glaucoma: There is a relative block to the flow of fluid, which causes raised pressure.
• Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Optic nerve damage occurs even with normal IOP.
• Congenital Glaucoma: Present at birth or developing shortly after.
• Steroid Induced Glaucoma: May also occur due to the use of steroid drops without prescription.

Who is at Risk?

• Above 35 years (the risk increases with age)
• Family history of glaucoma (first-degree relatives)
• Use of steroid drops, tablets, or ointments
• Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or history of eye injuries
• Short-sightedness (myopia)
• Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)

Symptoms

• Gradual loss of peripheral vision (side vision)
• Tunnel vision in advanced stages
• Severe eye pain, nausea, and blurred vision (in acute angle-closure glaucoma)
• Halos around lights

How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

• Slit lamp Examination: It helps in seeing the eye in detail.
• Applanation Tonometer: Measures the pressure inside the eye.
• Gonioscope: Examines the angle of the eye using a contact lens.
• Optic Disc Examination: Eye drops dilate the pupil to examine the optic disc and retina.
• Visual Field Testing: Assesses peripheral vision and detects early Glaucoma.
• Pachymetry: Measures corneal thickness, which affects IOP readings.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Images the optic nerve and helps diagnose Glaucoma.

Baseline tests and periodic examinations are crucial for future comparison.

Why is Early Diagnosis of Glaucoma Crucial?

Early diagnosis allows for timely intervention to lower eye pressure, preventing irreversible optic nerve damage. Since glaucoma often has no symptoms early on, early detection helps preserve vision and slows disease progression for better long-term outcomes.

Treatment

There is no cure for glaucoma. Treatment aims to preserve remaining vision, which is why early detection is crucial.

• Eye Drops: To lower IOP
• Laser Surgery: To improve fluid drainage
• Incisional Surgery:
• Trabeculectomy: Creates a small opening in the sclera for fluid drainage. May require additional medication to prevent scarring.
• Glaucoma Drainage Implants: Small tubes facilitate fluid drainage.
• Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): Uses tiny instruments and smaller incisions, offers quicker recovery, often done with cataract surgery.

Why Choose Swarup Eye Centre?

At Swarup Eye Centre, we are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate eye care. Our skilled ophthalmologists specialize in the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma using advanced technologies and evidence-based practices for optimal patient outcomes.

Protect Your Vision:

Regular eye exams are essential for detecting glaucoma early. If you're at risk, schedule an appointment with Swarup Eye Centre today. Don’t let the "silent thief" steal your sight.

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• Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today!
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Your vision is precious. Let Swarup Eye Centre help you protect it.