Eye
diseases are manifold, and glaucoma is one of the major ones affecting many
these days. March 12 is also known as World Glaucoma Day, and the disease has
gained prominence as it has been affecting millions in India. It is one of the
leading causes of Blindness among people over 60.
Causes
Glaucoma
tends to have a direct impact on the optic nerves present at the back of the
eyes. The front part of an eye produces a liquid, also known as aqueous humor.
The liquid helps to keep the eye nourished and inflated. A small amount of
aqueous humor is good for an eye being produced, and an equal amount of the
liquid flows out through the trabecular meshwork. In the case of glaucoma, the
fluid stops drying out and is retained in the eye. It eventually puts pressure
on optic nerves and dies out over the long run.
Symptoms
Left
untreated, glaucoma leads to Blindness. However, early detection can prevent
the disease from going out of control. The common symptoms associated with
glaucoma are eye pain, pressure build-up in the eyes, narrowed, low, and
blurred vision. There are many forms of glaucoma, viz., open-angle glaucoma,
acute angle-closure glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma,
etc.
Children
sometimes suffer from it, and the symptoms are dull eyes, tears without crying
in infants, blurred vision,
Treatment
Various
treatment options are available to treat glaucoma. Laser surgery, eye drops,
etc, can be suggested by an ophthalmologist depending on the patient’s condition.
The treatment is likely to help prevent further damage; however, it will not
reverse the vision loss. A common form of treatment is prescribed eye drops.
Since pressure builds inside the eyes in the case of glaucoma, the primary
treatment focuses on reducing the pressure on the optic nerve. Laser treatment
methods help the accumulated fluid to drain out, thus bringing the much-needed
respite.
The
advent of AI and technology in ophthalmology has created new avenues to treat
glaucoma. AI-based systems can monitor the progression of glaucoma and assist
in the right treatments.
Need for regular checkups.
Regular eye checkups are a
way to prevent glaucoma from spreading. People have the habit of ignoring
certain symptoms and shying away from visiting an eye specialist only to
realize that the situation has gone out of hand. Since glaucoma can lead to
vision loss, it is always advisable to visit an ophthalmologist and follow the
necessary treatment modalities before it is too late.
