Glaucoma refers to a group of eye disorders. It occurs when the pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure or IOP) increases enough to damage the optic nerves. As the optic nerves that are responsible for sending images to the brain are affected, it results in vision loss. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in permanent blindness.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes
of blindness especially for people over the age of 60. There are about 80
million glaucoma patients in the world. In India, nearly 12 million are
affected by glaucoma. But like in many developing countries, about 50-80% of
glaucoma cases go undetected in India. Hence the numbers in the records do not
reveal the real picture. However, in line with the global trends, the
population of glaucoma patients in the country is expected to double by 2040.
Talking about the signs and symptoms of
glaucoma, Dr. Samar Sengupta, Consultant – Ophthalmologist, Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospitals, Kolkata,
said that they vary depending on the
type and stage of the condition. Usually the first signs of glaucoma are seeing
halos or rainbow-colored circles around lights or having unusual sensitivity to
light. Loss of peripheral or side vision is another common symptom. However,
most people with glaucoma have no early warning signs. The effect is so gradual
that people may not notice any change in vision until the condition progresses
to an advanced stage. Hence, the only way to
detect glaucoma is to get a
comprehensive dilated eye exam and certain screening tests as deemed necessary
by your Ophthalmologist.
January is observed as Glaucoma Awareness
Month worldwide. As part of it, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital is conducting various
awareness programmes through its pan-India network.
According to Dr. Samar Sengupta, Dr.
Agarwals Eye Hospitals, the risk factors include the increasing prevalence of
chronic conditions like:
·
Diabetes
·
Cardiovascular
diseases
·
High
blood pressure
·
Myopia
·
Family
history
Those who use oral contraceptive pills
for long periods are highly susceptible to glaucoma. But glaucoma can affect
people of all age groups and even those who do not have any chronic conditions
or family history. It is diagnosed even in children.
There are two major types of glaucoma:
open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Ophthalmologists examine the
angle between the cornea and iris and determine whether it is openangle or
angle-closure glaucoma. However both these conditions have the characteristics
of preventing eye fluid from draining out through a tissue at the angle where
the iris and cornea meet. As the fluid is not able to flow out at its normal
rate, the pressure inside the eyes increases, and damages the optic nerves.
In general, glaucoma cannot be cured
but it can be controlled. Eye drops, pills, laser procedures and surgical
operations are used to manage glaucoma conditions.
Trabeculectomy, a type of glaucoma
surgery performed on the eye to create a new pathway for fluid inside the eye
to be drained, has been the main surgical procedure worldwide for several
decades. It is important for glaucoma patients to go for regular follow ups to
detect progression and to prevent vision loss, proper usage of medication, and
methods of administering drops. Even with regular treatment, about 15% of
people with glaucoma become blind in at least one eye within twenty years.
Dr. Samar Sengupta added that in India, millions of
people do not have access to qualified eye specialists and eye hospitals in
India. The lack of infrastructure and an unequal distribution of eye care
facilities in the country is a cause for concern. The country needs advanced
centres in peripheral areas to enhance the reach of medical interventions and
screening the high-risk population.
Increasing awareness of risk factors and symptoms of glaucoma should be an important strategy to address the growing glaucoma challenge. People who are in the age group of 60 are above need to check their eyes for glaucoma every 1-2 years whether there are any symptoms or not, and those in the age group of 40-60 years need to go for screening every 2-3 years, and people below 40 years can visit a doctor every 2-4 years to help in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.
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