The next time your eyes have a burning sensation, or you have an allergy, think twice before heading to the neighbourhood drug store to buy eye-drops that promise instant relief.
They are known to contain steroids, which are useful, but at the same time have the potential to induce glaucoma, the third leading cause of blindness among all age-groups in India.
While eye-drops containing steroids are used to manage a host of eye allergies, their excessive and indiscriminate use without a doctor’s prescription can potentially cause glaucoma, doctors at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute said.
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The problem of steroid abuse is rampant, with unregistered – and quite often ignorant – medical practitioners, who tend to prescribe such drops for redness of the eyes, experts said.
“I came across a young girl who would take eye-drops for redness in her eyes. Every night before sleeping, she used to take two drops. When she came to us, she was already blind in one eye, and only 10 per cent vision remained in the other. Her parents and other relatives were unaware of this until they came to us,” says head of Glaucoma Services at LVPEI Sirisha Senthil.
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Some caution
Doctors advise a bit of caution.
“Eye drops are known to give quick relief for red and itchy eyes and these drugs can be easily procured over the counter on a regular basis. This has led to self and unregulated treatment. The worst part is that glaucoma due to steroids can be prevented, but there is no awareness,” said LVPEI vice-chair G. Chandrasekhar.
Glaucoma is an ailment that damages the optic nerve of the eye and is usually very common among persons who have crossed 40 years, although it is also known to impact persons of all age groups including children. It is caused by a steady build-up of pressure inside the eye, which in turn damages the optic nerves of the eyes. Glaucoma tends to be inherited.
India’s numbers
In India, every eighth individual above 40 years or older either has glaucoma, or is at risk of developing the disease. Roughly put, there are 11.2 million glaucoma patients in India with 1.1 million of them blind, a number that includes children. According to doctors, the worst part is 90 per cent of glaucoma cases go undetected while 50 per cent of those diagnosed have advanced glaucoma.
Reporting by
M. Sai Gopal
Eye drops can be easily procured over the counter. This has led to self and unregulated treatment. Glaucoma due to steroids can be prevented, but there is no awareness
Dr. G. Chandrasekhar
vice-chair, LVPEI