More about Glaucoma :

The human eye can be divided into two segments: the anterior chamber and the posterior chamber. The anterior chamber is in front of the lens, the space between the cornea and natural lens is filled with aqueous humor fluid, and the posterior chamber stays behind the lens. As long as the process of aqueous humor fluid production in the anterior chamber and draining out of the eye is proportionate, your eyes are normal, or there is no sign of glaucoma. However, if they’re a small change in the production or drainage system occurs, it could lead to increased intraocular pressure. Wide-angle (Chronic Open Angle) and narrow-angle (Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma) are the two types of glaucoma that can lead to increased intraocular pressure.

Types of Glaucoma

Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma (COAG)

Primary open-angle or Chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) is the most common type of glaucoma occurs when the aqueous humor fluid become clogged. This blockage gradually increases pressure within the eye. There are neither any signs or symptoms nor pain occurs. So, an individual is usually unaware of these changes, and damages are occurring.

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma occurs when eye pressure builds up rapidly, and it can be shown in those individuals who have narrow anterior chamber angles. In such cases, aqueous fluid behind the iris cannot pass through the pupil. Hence, it pushes the iris forward and prevents the fluid drainage through the angle. Those suffering from acute angle-closure glaucoma may experience blurred vision, deep pain behind the eye, halos around lights, vomiting, and nausea.

Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma

As an individual cannot feel any pain, or there will be no signs or symptoms of Glaucoma, it is always safe to do eye check-up annually to ensure your eyes are healthy and fit. As we all know, glaucoma can enter our life anytime without the slightest knowledge. With this, fully vision loss or blindness can happen anytime if glaucoma resides untreated. Once you approach an ophthalmologist, he/she would check your eye pressure to make sure you don’t have any indication of glaucoma. However, if one notices the following symptoms, then there can be risks of glaucoma:

• Frequent changes of glasses, especially for near vision.
• Blurred or fuggy vision
• Loss of side vision
• Redness of the eyes
• Rainbow colored rings around lights (seeing halos)

Risk factors for Glaucoma

High pressure behind the eye may signals glaucoma. But It doesn’t alone indicate that you have glaucoma. Here in our hospital, we put many kinds of information all together to find out the risk of developing this disease. Some of the important factors from them are:

• Patient’s age (over 40 years)
• Near-sightedness (Myopia
• A history of severe shock or anaemia
• Diabetes/Hypertension
• A family history of glaucoma
• Past injuries in the eye

Prevention of Glaucoma

With early detection, you could reduce the impact on the optic nerve. Once any damage to the eye occurs, it can be reversed. The best way to tackle such disease is through regular eye check-ups.

Glaucoma can be treated with medication or surgery. The medication includes eye drops to reduce the secretion of aqueous humor fluid. Surgery helps to open up the blocks for proper drainage of the fluid, thus keeping your eyes healthy and normal. This surgery can be performed by Trabeculectomy (TRAB) or using LASER.