Isha Netralaya | Best Eye Hospital in Mumbai & Pune | Eye Specialist
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve that affects nearly 60 million people worldwide and is the second leading cause of blindness, leaving around 7.5 million people blind.
In India alone, 11 million people are affected, of which 1.5 million have already lost their vision.
Although glaucoma has no permanent cure, early diagnosis and proper treatment can help preserve remaining vision and allow patients to lead a healthy, independent life.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma causes a gradual loss of the visual field. Because the damage occurs slowly, most patients do not notice symptoms until the disease is far advanced.
This is why glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight.”
Why Choose Isha Netralaya for Glaucoma Surgery?
✔ Specialized Glaucoma Care by Experts
Managed by Dr. Uttara More and Dr. Priti Meshram, each with 12+ years of glaucoma experience.
✔ Early & Accurate Glaucoma Detection
Powered by cutting-edge tests like OCT, Visual Fields, and Applanation Tonometry.
✔ Glaucoma – The Silent Vision Thief
We help detect it early to protect the optic nerve and prevent avoidable vision loss.
✔ Timely Treatment, Lifelong Vision Protection
With proper management, glaucoma progression can be controlled and vision can be preserved.
What Causes Glaucoma?
The eye continuously produces a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which nourishes the eye.
This fluid normally drains out through a drainage canal located at the angle between the cornea and the iris.
In glaucoma, this fluid does not drain properly, causing a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP).
Increased IOP damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain.
Glaucoma can also occur even with normal eye pressure if the optic nerve is more vulnerable. Hence, diagnosing glaucoma requires more than just measuring eye pressure.
Types of Glaucoma
1. Open-Angle Glaucoma
Most common type
– Caused by increased resistance in the drainage canal
– Slowly progressive, often without symptoms
– Leads to loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision)
– Common in people above 45 years
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Caused by the blockage of fluid flow
- More common in long-sighted individuals
- Acute angle-closure is an emergency
- Severe eye pain
- Headache, nausea
- Blurred vision and rainbow-colored haloes
- Chronic angle closure progresses slowly and mimics open-angle glaucoma
Developmental Glaucoma
- Congenital glaucoma: present at birth
- Juvenile glaucoma: occurs in children and young adults
Secondary Glaucoma
Common cause: unsupervised steroid use (drops/tablets/ointments)
Who is at Risk?
A comprehensive eye examination is essential, especially after age 40.
You are at higher risk if you have:
- Age above 35–40 years
- Family history of glaucoma
- History of using steroids
- Diabetes or hypertension
- Previous eye injuries
- High myopia (minus-number glasses)
- Pain, redness, or watering in the eyes
- Seeing colored rings around lights
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Slit Lamp Examination
- A detailed microscopic evaluation of the front part of the eye.
Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Measurement
Measured using an applanation tonometer.
Air-puff tests are useful for screening but not reliable for diagnosis.
Gonioscopy
- A special contact lens is used to examine the angle of the eye to determine the type of glaucoma.
Monofocal Lens
Optic Disc Evaluation
- After dilating the pupils, the doctor examines the optic nerve head using a lens or scanning device.
Automated Visual Field (Perimetry) Test
- Detects early field loss even when central vision is still normal.
- Accurate diagnosis requires a standardized, calibrated perimeter.
Aspheric Lens
Treatment of Glaucoma
Diagnosing glaucoma requires a thorough eye examination. Early cases may need repeated testing over time to confirm diagnosis.
Your doctor may perform:
Medications (Eye Drops)
- First-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma
- Lifelong use may be required
- Doctors choose drops based on your condition and response
Laser Treatment
- Used in early angle-closure glaucoma to create an alternate fluid pathway
- It can also be used in advanced cases to reduce eye pressure
Surgery
Recommended when:
- Medications are not effective
- The disease is advanced
- Socioeconomic factors limit long-term medication use
Glaucoma surgery is less predictable than cataract surgery and may carry risks such as bleeding or infection.
Non-Penetrating Surgery
- Lower complication rate but less effective than standard surgery.
- Not recommended as the first-line treatment.
Need for Lifelong Monitoring
Glaucoma is a lifelong condition that requires:
- Regular follow-ups
- Repeated eye pressure checks
- Periodic field tests
- Monitoring optic nerve changes
The frequency of visits depends on the stage and type of glaucoma.
Experience Clarity Like Never Before
Schedule your Glaucoma Consultation today and take the first step toward a brighter, clearer tomorrow.
FAQs for Glaucoma Treatment
