It’s the second leading cause of blindness in the world, but there is not much awareness about glaucoma as there should be, say doctors.
A condition that damages the optic nerve (leading from the eye to the brain), glaucoma is often caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye. This can occur when the fluid in the eye ( aqueous humour ) does not drain out properly and accumulates. As some forms of it asymptomatic, patients often do not realise they have glaucoma.
A study by Sankara Nethralaya a few years ago found that the prevalence of the condition increased with age, and of the patients who had glaucoma, 98.5 per cent were unaware that they had it. And so, screening is key, especially if you have a family history of glaucoma or have hypertension or diabetes, doctors say.
“The earlier we intervene, the better the chances of saving the patient’s field of vision,” said S. Ganesh, consultant, glaucoma, Vasan Eye Care Hospitals.
Medication, laser procedures, and sometimes surgery are used to treat the condition.
New technique
“A new technique to treat glaucoma is Stab Incision Glaucoma Surgery, in which a small, permanent opening is made in the eye. This allows the excess fluid to drain out and be absorbed by the body,” said Amar Agarwal, chairman, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital.
