Glaucoma Treatment
Don’t Let it Steal your Sight…
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?
NORMAL EYE GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which the Optic Nerve (the bundle of nerve fibers that carries information from the eye to the brain) gets damaged and can lead to vision loss or blindness. It is also known as “Kala Motia”.
Optic nerve damage usually occurs in the presence of high eye pressure (high intraocular pressure); but it can also occur with normal or even less than normal eye pressure.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR GLAUCOMA?
Everyone is at risk for glaucoma.
However, certain groups are at higher risk than others.
Family History
Presence of glaucoma in other family members especially first degree relatives
Age
Seen more often in those over 40 years of age
Thyroid Disease
Steroids
Patients who are on long term steroid therapy for other diseases such as asthma, arthritis, skin diseases etc.
Eye Injury
Glaucoma can develop immediately or years after an eye injury
Other Risk Factors
High Myopia (nearsightedness), Hypermetropia (Farsightedness), Hypertension, Diabetes
HOW CAN I TELL I HAVE GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma can be asymptomatic..
The signs or symptoms of glaucoma can vary depending on the type of glaucoma
Primary open angle glaucoma: It develops slowly. The initial symptoms are usually mild and vague
and may not be noticed.
Frequent change of reading glasses.
Mild eye ache or headache
towards the evening after a day’s work
Inability to adjust one’s vision on entering a dark room (delayed dark adaptation)
Loss of vision, If not treated is first in the peripheral or side vision. The central vision remains intact and is affected last.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency.You may initially see rainbow colored halos of light around a bulb, or experience sudden severe pain in the eye, blurred vision, redness in the eye, unilateral headache, nausea, vomiting.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GET REGULAR
EYE CHECKUPS FOR GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma is also called “the silent thief of vision”, as at first it may not have any symptoms. The first time you notice something is wrong is when significant vision is lost.
In older adults, cataract(“Safed Motia”) usually starts developing at the same age as glaucoma makes an appearance. You may think that you are losing vision due to a cataract when it may actually be due to glaucoma!
This is why we advise routine eye check-ups for glaucoma after you turn 40.
In the younger population, there are either no symptoms or the onset of symptoms is so slow that it goes unnoticed till there is significant peripheral vision loss.
It is important for younger adults, especially those with a family member with glaucoma, to get glaucoma screenings regularly.
How often should I get my
Eyes Examined for Glaucoma?
Every 3 – 4 years: After the age of 40 years, you should get an eye check for glaucoma, even if there are no symptoms, every 3-4 years.
Every 1 to 2 years: If you have a family member with glaucoma or if you have diabetes or if you are on long term systemic steroids for some other disease, or if you have suffered a blunt eye injury in the past, you must get your eyes screened for glaucoma every 1-2 year
Every 3-6 months: if you are diagnosed to have glaucoma Regular review is important and the intervals between review will depend upon the severity of visual loss and the extent of pressure control.
Child or a newborn: A child having sensitivity to light or any eye that appears bigger or cloudier than usual, should be shown to an eye specialist to rule out congenital glaucoma.
Even if the eyes appear normal and there is no family history of eye disease, we strongly recommend a regular eye check-up for children at the age of 3-4 years before they start school.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
As damage to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, the aim of the treatment is to prevent or reduce further damage to the optic nerve.
The first step is to lower the eye pressure, if high.
The three main modalities of glaucoma treatment in Hisar are:-
Medical (Anti-glaucoma Eye drops and tablets), Glaucoma laser surgery & Glaucoma Filtering Microsurgery
Medical treatment of Glaucoma
Eye drops or tablets are used commonly for early treatment for glaucoma. Some medicines cause the eye to make less fluid while Others lower eye pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.
You must use the medicines timely & regularly as directed by our ophthalmologist.
You should not stop your glaucoma medicines even if you do not have symptoms.
A regular follow up, as advised by our eye doctor, is mandatory.
HOW CAN I TELL I HAVE GLAUCOMA?
Eye drops or tablets are used commonly for early treatment for glaucoma. Some medicines cause the eye to
make less fluid whileOthers lower eye pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.
You must use the medicines
timely & regularly as directed by our
ophthalmologist.
You should not stop your glaucoma
medicines even if you do not have
symptoms.
A regular follow up, as advised
by our eye doctor, is mandatory.
Laser treatment of Glaucoma
There are various types of lasers that are used in the treatment of glaucoma.
Our glaucoma specialists will decide which laser is suitable for you.
YAG Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty
Diode Laser Cycloablation
Doctors @ Gobind Eye Care
Dr. SS Khurana
MBBS, MS ophthalmology, Director
Dr. Gulshan Mehta
MBBS, DOMS, Fellow paediatric ophthalmology. Phaco, squint and refractive surgeon
Dr.Maneesh Dhupper
MBBS, MS Ophthalmology, Vitreo Retina Surgeon
Dr. Ripan Kaur Kamra
MBBS, MS ophthalmology, Phaco surgeon
