Learn about Glaucoma
Protect Your Vision Before It’s Too Late Glaucoma is a condition in which the normal fluid pressure in the eye slowly rises causing damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss or even blindness. Left untreated, Glaucoma gets worse over time. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in India. It is important to see your eye doctor regularly so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before permanent irreversible vision loss occurs. |
Glaucoma Risk Factors
Some people have a higher than normal risk of getting glaucoma. This includes people who:
- Are over the age of 35
- Have family members with glaucoma
- Have high eye pressure
- Are farsighted (hypermetropic) or nearsighted (myopic)
- Have had an eye injury
- Have corneas that are thin in the centre
- Have diabetes, migraines, or poor blood circulation
Glaucoma Symptoms
In 80% of patients, Glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms. Rarely, patients may complain of redness of the eye, headache, coloured halos, or eye pain. Usually though, Glaucoma is a slow, painless, progressive loss of vision, and as a result is often called the ‘sneak thief of sight’. Patients become aware of a loss of vision only after 80% damage has already occurred. Loss of vision is irreversible. So it’s very important to get regular check-ups done by an ophthalmologist. If detected clinically in the early stages, further loss of vision can be arrested. Left untreated, vision may decrease over time to the point of complete blindness.
Glaucoma Detection
Typically, there is no single test to diagnose glaucoma. Diagnosis and classification is based on information from a complete eye exam. During a glaucoma evaluation, your ophthalmologist will:
- Measure your eye pressure.
- Inspect your eye’s drainage angle.
- Examine your optic nerve for damage.
- Test your peripheral (side) vision.
- Take a picture or computer measurement of your optic nerve.
Glaucoma Treatment
Glaucoma damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. However further damage can be prevented through medication and surgery. Medication is used to lower eye pressure by helping fluid to drain from the eye or by causing the eye to create less fluid. Depending on the specific type of glaucoma laser surgery is performed to make the drainage angle work better or create a tiny hole in the iris to help with better fluid drainage.
Patient Testimonial
“I was diagnosed with open angle Glaucoma in 1980, which was kept under control with eye drops till the year 2000 by different army hospitals at various stations. By that time controlling my glaucoma became problematic with eye drops. I consulted different eye specialists, but was not satisfied. I went to Dr. Aarti for consultation. She gave me laser treatment which helped me till the years 2014-15. By this time I developed cataract in both the eyes, and became difficult to control the eye pressure. Dr. Aarti performed surgery for both Cataract and Glaucoma, and since then my eye pressure has been under control without any eye drops/medicine. I have been under Dr. Aarti’s treatment for last 15-16 years, and have found her to be a very competent, diligent, and caring doctor. The hospital staff under her guidance is also very efficient polite and courteous.”
Mrs. Susheel Sahney w/o Maj. Gen. S.S. Sahney
Mrs. Susheel Sahney w/o Maj. Gen. S.S. Sahney