Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. It is estimated that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it.

Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain.

It was once thought that high pressure within the eye, also known as intraocular pressure or IOP, is the main cause of this optic nerve damage. Although IOP is clearly a risk factor, we now know that other factors must also be involved because even people with “normal” levels of pressure can experience vision loss from glaucoma.

	Vision with Glaucoma

	Normal Vision

Glaucoma Clinic at Vision Care : Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of this sight threatening disease.

Vision Care Eye Hospital has a specialized Glaucoma Clinic with a Certified Senior Glaucoma Consultant of repute specializing in Glaucoma Diagnosis and Management.

The Glaucoma Clinic is equipped with advanced Glaucoma Diagnostic Equipment like applanation tonometer, Automated Perimetry and Orbscan 2 based Corneal Pachymetry.

Can I have Glaucoma ?

Unfortunately glaucoma is a disease, which cannot be seen or felt by the patients in the early stages. It is usually spotted during the course of a routine eye check-up done by an Eye Surgeon, when high IOP is suspected and more detailed test is conducted. The mistake that most people commonly make is getting only their glass numbers checked by an Optician ignoring the need for a detailed eye check up.

Sometimes the patient discovers it and come to the Doctor with complaints of mild headache, fuzzy vision in morning or seeing rainbow colours around lights. These all indicate raised IOP.

Get an Eye Check up routinely above the age of 40 years.

Risk factors for Glaucoma

Age: Glaucoma is much more common among older people. You are six times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 40 years old.

Family History Of Glaucoma: The most common type of glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population. Family history of glaucoma increases the risk of glaucoma four to nine times.

Indiscriminate use of Steroids: Studies indicate Steroids increase intraocular pressure. These could be in the form of Oral medications, Steroid Inhalers and Steroid Eye Drops used for long periods of time.

Injury to Eye: Injury to the eye may cause secondary open angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.

Other possible risk factors: High myopia (nearsightedness), Diabetes, Hypertension, Central corneal thickness less than 500 microns.

Types of Glaucoma

Adult glaucoma falls into two categories: Open Angle glaucoma and Closed Angle glaucoma. These are marked by increase of intra ocular pressure ( IOP ), or pressure inside the eye.

Open Angle Glaucoma:- This is the most common form of glaucoma.

Think of the eye as a sink with a tap that is always open. The water flows through if the drainage mechanism is working all right. The trouble arises when the drainage is clogged and the water begins to collect.

In the same way, the inside of the eye contains fluid that is constantly flowing and is drained out of the eye. Glaucoma happens when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged. The pressure inside the eye (also called intraocular pressure or IOP) rises because the correct amount of fluid can’t drain out of the eye. This results in the fluid accumulating in the eye and over a period of time it leads o increased intra ocular pressure . Over a period of time, this high pressure inside the eye (IOP) can damage the optic nerve (or nerve of the eye)

Most people have no symptoms and no early warning signs. If open angle glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause a gradual loss of vision. This type of glaucoma develops slowly and sometimes without noticeable sight loss for many years. It usually responds well to medication, especially if caught early and treated.

Angle Closure Glaucoma:- This type of glaucoma is also known as acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. It is very different from open angle glaucoma in that the eye pressure usually rises very quickly.

This happens when the drainage canals get blocked or covered over, like a sink with something covering the drain.

With angle closure glaucoma, the iris is not as wide and open as it should be. The outer edge of the iris bunches up over the drainage canals, when the pupil enlarges too much or too quickly. This can happen when entering a dark room.

Treatment of angle closure glaucoma usually involves surgery to remove a small portion of the outer edge of the iris. This helps unblock the drainage canals so that the extra fluid can drain. Usually surgery is successful and long lasting. However, you should still receive regular check-ups.

Symptoms of angle closure glaucoma : include headaches, eye pain, nausea, rainbows around lights at night, and very blurred vision.

Glaucoma Evaluation

Early detection, through regular and complete eye exams, is the key to protecting your vision from damage caused by glaucoma.

Regular eye check up helps us to diagnose Glaucoma. Vision Care eye hospital has one of the most modern and sophisticated Glaucoma Clinic.

	Between age of 35 to 40 years: First Check up  Between age of 40 to 60 years: Once in every two to three years  After age of 60 years: Once every year

Anyone with high risk factors, should be tested every year or two after age 35.

Routine Tests for Glaucoma:– Regular glaucoma check-ups include two routine eye tests: tonometry and ophthalmoscopy.

Truth & Facts about Glaucoma

Once diagnosed as a glaucoma patient, you require constant and lifelong care. If detected early, it can be controlled immediately and there by prevent any vision loss. Although glaucoma can be controlled, any damage that has already occurred cannot be reversed.

Glaucoma can be successfully controlled with eye drops, Pills or surgical operations. This prevents further damage and thus preserves vision. Often, people tend to think that once their IOP has been brought down to safe levels they have been cured of glaucoma. Even when medication has successfully controlled glaucoma it is important to constantly monitor the condition by checking IOP levels regularly & use medications regularly. Periodic eye examinations are vital in controlling glaucoma. Glaucoma can worsen without your being aware of it and your treatment may need to be changed over time.

Few Facts about Glaucoma

Symptons of Glaucoma

With open angle glaucoma, the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Usually, no pain is associated with increased eye pressure.

Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision. You may compensate for this unconsciously by turning your head to the side, and may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get tested. If you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.

	Without Glaucoma Early Glaucoma Advanced Glaucoma Extreme Glaucoma

Golden Rules for Glaucoma

Use your medications regularly: It will be especially easy to forget to use your medication when your pressures are under but to prevent intermittent rise in eye pressure please put drops regularly. Get an extra supply of medication in case you misplace a bottle of eye drops or pills.

Know what your medications are & how best to use them: Know the name & dosage of each medication you are using.

Schedule your regular check ups on time: It is easy to put off or forget your regular check ups when your IOP is under control or, when you are busy with work or personal activities. Please go for regular IOP check ups and perimetry test as advised.

Maintain Good Health: Maintaining good general health is important and also contributes to taking care of your eyes. Pay attention to proper diet and nutrition, exercise, and avoid nicotine and excess caffeine. Reduce your day to day stress.

Medication Tips

Living with Glaucoma

There are few adjustments; a person with glaucoma has to do, like getting used to frequent eye checking & using medications regularly. BUT diagnosis of glaucoma shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your life.

Glaucoma Treatment

Treatment is aimed at controlling the pressure within the eye & to prevent damage to the optic nerve. There are two modalities by which pressure can be controlled by Medicines or by Surgery

Medical line of treatment:

How to put Eyedrops ?

Prescription eye drops for glaucoma help maintain the pressure in your eye at a healthy level and are an important part of the treatment routine for many people. Always check with our medical team if you are having difficulty.

Remember:

• Follow our prescription orders properly.
• Tell us if you are allergic to any drugs.
• Wash your hands before putting in your eye drops.
• Be careful not to let the tip of the dropper touch any part of your eye.
• Make sure the dropper stays clean.
• If you are putting in more than one drop or more than one type of eye drop, wait five minutes before putting the next drop in. This will keep the first drop from being washed out by the second before it has had time to work.
• Store eye drops and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Steps For Putting In Eye Drops:

• Start by tilting your head backward while sitting, standing, or lying down. With your index finger placed on the soft spot just below the lower lid, gently pull down to form a pocket.
• Let a drop fall into the pocket.
• Slowly let go of the lower lid. Close your eyes but try not to shut them tight or squint. This may push the drops out of your eye.
• Gently press on the inside corner of your closed eyes with your index finger and thumb for two to three minutes. This will help keep any drops from getting into your system and keep them in your eye, where they are needed.
• Blot around your eyes to remove any excess.