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Glaucoma
Understanding About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the crucial link between the eye and the brain, responsible for transmitting visual information. The damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), though glaucoma can also occur with normal eye pressure. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to vision loss or blindness. It is one of the leading causes of blindness, especially in older adults. There are different types of glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma.
Types of Glaucoma :
The most common type, where the drainage canals of the eye slowly become less efficient, leading to increased pressure over time.
Less common but more urgent, this type occurs when the drainage angle is suddenly blocked, causing a rapid rise in eye pressure.
In this form, optic nerve damage occurs even with normal eye pressure. The cause is unclear but may involve poor blood flow to the optic nerve.
A rare type, present at birth, caused by developmental defects in the eye’s drainage system.
Symptoms:
This happens so slowly that people may not notice until much vision is lost.
In advanced stages, only a small area of central vision may remain.
Typically associated with angle-closure glaucoma.
Intense headaches can occur when the pressure in the eye is very high.
Especially during an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack.
These symptoms may accompany acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Treatment:
Glaucoma is often managed with medicated eye drops that reduce intraocular pressure either by decreasing fluid production or increasing drainage.
In some cases, oral medications are prescribed to lower eye pressure.
Laser procedures such as trabeculoplasty (for open-angle glaucoma) or iridotomy (for angle-closure glaucoma) are used to improve fluid drainage.
If medications and laser treatments are insufficient, surgery such as trabeculectomy or shunt implantation may be performed to create new drainage pathways and lower eye pressure.
Precautions:
Long-term use of steroid medications, whether in eye drops, inhalers, or creams, can raise eye pressure and increase the risk of glaucoma. Use steroids only as prescribed by your doctor.
Sleeping with your head slightly elevated (around 20 degrees) can help reduce eye pressure while you rest.
Avoid positions that put pressure on your eyes, like bending over for extended periods or lifting heavy objects. These activities can temporarily raise intraocular pressure.
Rubbing can cause additional strain or damage, especially after surgery or when managing glaucoma.
Stress can affect your overall health, including eye health. Practicing stress-relief techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can be beneficial.
Before Surgery
Before glaucoma surgery, your eye specialist will conduct detailed tests to measure your eye pressure, visual field, and optic nerve condition. Imaging tests like optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be done to assess the health of your optic nerve. You’ll be advised to stop certain medications that may affect surgery, and you may start using medicated eye drops to prepare your eye. Glaucoma surgery can take around 1 to 2 hours, and is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the type of procedure. The goal is to reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
During Surgery
During glaucoma surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the eye to create a new drainage pathway for the fluid. Depending on the type of surgery, a tiny device or a drainage implant may be placed to help control the fluid and pressure in the eye. The procedure is typically painless, as the eye will be numbed with local anesthesia. After the surgery, you’ll rest briefly and may need to wear an eye patch or shield before going home.
After Surgery
After glaucoma surgery, you will be given prescription eye drops to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and manage intraocular pressure. Vision may be blurry at first, and your eye may feel sore, but these symptoms should improve within a few days. Full recovery usually takes a few weeks, during which you should avoid heavy lifting, bending over, and other strenuous activities. Follow-up appointments are crucial to ensure that the surgery was successful and that the pressure in your eye is stable. In most cases, glaucoma surgery helps to slow the progression of vision loss, but ongoing monitoring and treatment may still be necessary.
Isha Netralaya
As one of the leading eye hospitals in the heart of Thane, we take pride in our expertise in treating a varied range of eye problems.
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