Glaucoma is a
disease of the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries electrical
signals from the eye to the brain and damage to it affects the vision. Glaucoma is usually a silent disease and also dangerous as the damage
to the nerve is irreversible.
By the time a person
realizes the symptoms, the disease is usually advanced. This makes
early detection and treatment very important especially for older
people.
Eye is like a ball.
A clear liquid called as aqueous humor is constantly produced in very
small quantities. An equal amount of this fluid flows out of the eye
through microscopic drainage system. When this drainage system is
blocked, excess fluid is retained, raising the pressure within the
eyeball. The raised pressure pushes against the optic nerve and
damages it. Sometimes there may be an acute attack due to sudden
blockage causing a steep rise in the pressure with acute symptoms.
This is an emergency.
People with glaucoma
often do not have symptoms until vision loss occurs. When symptoms
are present, they are :
- Severe eye pain
- Headache
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Rainbow Haloes Around Lights
- Age above 40
- Elevated eye pressure
- Family history of glaucoma
- High refractive errors
- Past eye injuries
- Thinner central cornea
- Diabetes and migraine headache
- Regular eye examination with routine measurement of intraocular pressure ( IOP ).
- Optic nerve head evaluation.
- Gonioscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy ( UBM ) to check the drainage angles.
- Visual field analysis to check the function of the optic nerve.
- Pachymetry for central corneal thickness
- Newer imaging modalities like OCT, HRT and GDX may be required to document the anatomical damage to the optic nerve.
The treatment is
aimed at arresting the progress of the disease. It is in the form of
eye drops, laser and surgery.
There are a variety
of anti glaucoma medications available which have reduced the need
for surgery. Some eye drops work to reduce the production of aqueous
humor, whereas some work to open the drainage channels. Also
combinations of medicines are available as eye drops for enhanced
effect.
Laser Iridectomy ot
Trabeculoplasty is helpful in certain cases to increase the drainage
of fluid from the eye.
The surgical techniques of Trabeculectomy or modified Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin
C are to be undertaken if medication is not able to arrest the
progression of the disease.
New modality for
control of glaucoma is the Express Shunt. Advanced Glaucoma might
require the use of valve surgery to control the intra ocular
pressure.
The purpose of
treatment is to prevent further loss of vision. This is important
because vision once lost due to glaucoma cannot be regained.
- Always keep the medicine in stock before it gets over.
- If more than one drug is used, wait for 10 minutes between dosages.
- If one misses a dose, do not increase the number or amount of medication taken next time.
- Do not stop taking medication while travelling.
- Ask your doctor about how to use drops properly.
Don't Forget
- Treatment for glaucoma requires a 'team' made up of both a compliant patient and doctor ( ophthalmologist ).
- Doctor can prescribe treatment for glaucoma, but only patient can make sure to put eye drops regularly.
- Do not change or stop taking medications without consulting the doctor ( ophthalmologist ).
- Frequent eye examinations and test are important to monitor the eyes for any changes.
Glaucoma generally has no signs or symptoms until serious loss of vision has occurred. The best way to protect the damage is early diagnosis, proper treatment and regular follow ups. Krishna Eye Centre provides glaucoma treatments at affordable cost.
For more details contact us !Email : krishnaeyecenter@gmail.comSite : www.krishnaeyecentre.com
