Yes, it is. Glaucoma is one of the major causes of blindness, which has subtle symptoms that occur gradually but make a sudden impact. It is a condition where eye fluid (aqueous fluid), which is needed to nourish the eye and to maintain its shape, accumulates in the eye. The eye fluid is expected to be drained at the same rate it is produced, and when this flow is disturbed, the fluid starts to build, causing acute optic pressure and damaging the optic nerve, which impacts the functionality of the eye. There are various causes of Glaucoma, which are elaborated in this blog.
The symptoms of Glaucoma
Open-angle Glaucoma
The condition has no early signs, but as it progresses, it starts to cause;
- Gradual loss of vision
- It causes patchy blind spots at the side of the eye or in the central vision.
Acute angle-closure Glaucoma
This condition causes sudden, severe spikes in eye pressure, which is associated with noticeable symptoms such as;
- Severe headaches and intense eye pain
- Blurry vision
- Eye redness
- Vomiting
Glaucoma in children
Glaucoma can also affect children, and it causes these symptoms;
- Dull-looking eyes
- Excessive tearing without crying and increased blinking
- Bulging eyeballs
The causes of Glaucoma
Open-angle Glaucoma: The eye has a drainage angle where both the iris and the cornea, which drain out the eye fluid, also known as the aqueous fluid, are responsible for maintaining the shape of the eye and nourishing it. The drainage angle has a mesh-like structure, and if clogged, the eye fluid starts to accumulate, which damages the eye nerves.
Angle closure glaucoma: This is a high-risk cause that occurs when the iris bulges out, blocking the drainage angle of the eye fluid, which consequently causes the buildup of the fluid and causes pressure that can damage the optic nerve over time
Normal-tension Glaucoma: In other cases, both the fluid and the drainage angle can be in good condition, but the optic nerve can be damaged due to poor blood flow at the back of the eye. Damage to the optic nerve causes blindness.
Secondary causes: Apart from the outlined causes, Glaucoma can also be caused by other factors such as severe inflammation, injuries, diabetes and eye tumours. These factors are capable of causing Glaucoma.
Advancing in age: As people advance in age, they may experience wear and tear of the eye’s internal structures, leading to ineffective functionality of the fluid drainage system, hence the intraocular pressure.
Treatment of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a health condition that cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be reduced with various treatments such as;
Medication: Specialists prescribe eye drops, which are one of the common treatments, and in some cases, oral medications are prescribed.
Laser therapy: This is a procedure that involves making an opening when the eye drainage is blocked to improve the drainage.
Surgery: The surgery also aims at creating a drainage system for the eye fluid, which is mainly done when the eye drops and the laser therapy are ineffective.
Conclusion
The most effective way to prevent Glaucoma is through early detection and management, which allows doctors to have an opportunity to provide treatment before severe damage leads to irreversible blindness. Early detection can be diagnosed by the ophthalmologist who is capable of conducting a tonometry to check the eye fluid pressure and to examine the optic nerves. Dr. H Mitra at Mitra Eye Hospital and Lasik Centre is the one one can trust to have access to effective diagnostic treatments for Glaucoma. The hospital is equipped with the right technology and a specialist experienced in providing health services for Glaucoma.
FAQ’s
How long does it take for one to experience permanent loss of vision?
It mainly depends on the risk factors of the conditions; it may develop after years, whilst in severe cases, it may occur within 90 minutes or 240 minutes.
Are glasses effective for helping with vision after being diagnosed with Glaucoma?
The glasses are effective when there is some level of visibility, but they are not used to repair optic nerve damage.