THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eyes, optic nerves and results in vision loss and blindness. As with all chronic health conditions, early diagnosis and treatment are vital to decrease damage and retain vision and quality of life. It affects humans and certain animals such as cats. It steals sight without a warning. Glaucoma can affect all age groups but elderly people above 60 years, African-Americans and individuals with high myopia, family history of glaucoma, diabetes mellitus (DM), post eye trauma and vascular headaches on steroid medications are at high risk.
Glaucoma causes irreversible blindness. It is estimated that 60.5 million are affected with glaucoma globally which will increase to 80 million by 2020. The prevalence in India is about 11.99 million. Most of them consult only in the last stage. So it’s important to create awareness among the public about the seriousness of the disease. March 11 to 17 is the International Glaucoma Week when organisations around the world raise awareness of the condition. There are different associations and organisations across the globe which funds research and provides support and advice for patients. Teams across the nations are being upskilled to better support patients with glaucoma.
In most cases, glaucoma is associated with raised intraocular pressure (IOP). But increase in IOP does not mean the disease, but high risk for developing glaucoma. Initially, there will be no symptoms, no redness, no pain and vision will be normal.Gradually, peripheral vision will be lost, people will miss objects on the side. By the time the problem is noticed, the damage would have happened and severity will vary.
Glaucoma cannot be cured but can be treated and delay the progression. It is treated by eye drops, laser or surgery. With new medications available, glaucoma progression can be delayed and surgery is avoided. Once diagnosed, treatment is for a lifetime.
Proper technique of putting eye drops and time is important. Because it has no symptoms, people may be tempted to stop. The only way to detect early or delay the disease is a detailed checkup with an ophthalmologist which includes IOP, fields, corneal thickness and optical coherence tomography (OCT) if necessary. If doubtful, periodic checkup is important. Those who are severely affected can be given low vision aid.Early detection and proper treatment can prevent vision loss and improve quality of life at an affordable price.
(The author is a consultant ophthalmologist at KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. The views expressed are his own.)