Glaucoma
DON’T LET GLAUCOMA DARKEN YOUR LIFE
Glaucoma is a condition in which eye pressure rises and causes damage to your optic nerve and visual field. Most people with glaucoma have no symptoms or pain from this increased pressure.It is important to see your eye doctor regularly so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs. If detected early, the damage can be limited.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
Glaucoma treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser procedure, or microsurgery of the eye.
What is Glaucoma locally known as?
Various terminologies like “Jhamar”,”KaalaPaani”,”KaalaMotiya”,”Eye Pressure”.
Will I become blind?
Visual loss once set in cannot be reversed.With correct treatment lowering of IOP and regular follow up ,further damage is stalled or delayed. It is very rare for a patient to become blind if there is a regular follow up and good compliance with treatment schedule.
Am I at risk?
Yes if you :-
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• use spectacles.
• Have diabetes
• Takes steroid medications/asthma pumps
• Are over age 40
What diet should I follow?
1. Consume abundant amounts of fruits and vegetables.
2. Consider eating fish or nuts rich in omega-3 PFA, which appear to reduce risk.
3. Avoid drinking large amounts of liquid in a single take. It is preferable to drink small amounts in the course of the day.
4. Consume moderate amounts of red wine, black chocolate and green tea.
5. Avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages or colas if you already have glaucoma.
How do I know if I have glaucoma?
Watchout for these symptoms
• Seeing halos around lights
• Redness in the eye
• Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
• Pain in the eye
• Narrowing of vision (tunnel vision)
Should I get a screening test done anyways?
Yes, it is advisable for all to get a glaucoma work up done, at least once, so that it is picked up in the earliest stages, before any damage sets in.
This test is called OCT.
How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
After routine eye examination test like:
• Intra ocular pressure (IOP) measurement
• Pachymetry (corneal thickness assessment)
• Perimetry (visual field testing)
• Optic disc analysis (digital retinal scan or OCT test)