Glaucoma

Glaucoma Treatment & Diagnostics in Tardeo, Mumbai

Glaucoma

Lakhs of people  in India alone have lost their vision due to glaucoma. Needless to say, this is something one needs to be serious about.

Glaucoma is more common among the elderly population, but that does not mean it cannot occur at a younger age. What makes it necessary to be more cautious is the fact that the condition doesn't show any significant warning signs before it’s too late.

What do we need to know about glaucoma?

An increase in intraocular pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve. This type of damage to the optic nerve is called glaucoma.

In normal conditions, the fluid in your eyes called aqueous humor flows through the anterior chamber and drains through the trabecular meshwork. Blockage to the flow of aqueous humor results in an increase of pressure inside the eye causing damage to the optic nerve.

Damage to this nerve, a kind of go-between for the eyes and the brain, can result in permanent partial vision loss or complete blindness if not diagnosed and treated on time.

To seek treatment, you can visit an ophthalmology hospital in Mumbai. Or you can search online for an ophthalmology doctor near me.

What are the types of glaucoma?

There are mainly two types of glaucoma based on the closure angle of the drain space between the cornea and the iris. And a few more types based on the causes of glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma – The drain structure looks open but the fluid doesn’t flow.
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma – The drain space becomes narrow causing fluid build-up.
• Secondary glaucoma – It occurs as a side effect of another condition.
• Normal-tension glaucoma – It involves optic nerve damage without pressure build-up in the eye.
• Pigmentary glaucoma – Pigments from the iris mix into aqueous humor to clog the drainage. 

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma doesn’t show any prominent symptoms and can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. Thus, it becomes critical to diagnose it before it’s too late. Even if there is no family history, you should keep an eye on the following symptoms.

• Pain in the eyes
• Redness of the eyes
• Seeing halos around the light
• Blurred vision
• Unexplainable headaches
• Blinds spots
• Tunnel vision

What are the causes of glaucoma?

The damage to the optic nerve can be caused by many factors. It is mostly a result of increased intraocular pressure.

Inability to drain aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork results in fluid build-up which in turn causes a pressure increase in the eyes. This condition is hereditary in most cases. In some cases, a blunt injury, chemical reaction or eye infection can cause glaucoma.

When do you need to see a glaucoma specialist?

You should not ignore even a little discomfort to the eyes. You should consult an ophthalmologist if you have any kind of pain, irritation or discomfort in the eyes.
If you show any of the symptoms of glaucoma, it is better to visit a glaucoma hospital for diagnosis.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Tardeo, Mumbai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is glaucoma treated and diagnosed?

The diagnosis of glaucoma includes a review of your medical history and taking such tests as tonometry, pachymetry and gonioscopy to determine the extent and type of the condition.

The treatment of glaucoma involves steps to prevent or slow down vision loss and reducing intraocular pressure. 

The treatment can include one or more of the following courses.

• Prescription eye drops
• Oral medications
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
• Filtering surgery
• Drainage tube surgery
• Laser therapy

Conclusion

Identifying the early signs and slowing its progress to prevent vision loss are the only ways to deal with glaucoma. It can neither be completely prevented nor you can reverse the damage. Consult your doctor regularly if it runs in your family. Everyone aged forty and above should get their eyes checked every few years to catch it early.