The optic nerve is a bundle of nerves that connects retina with the brain, so retina after reading/focusing on the image sends the information to brain through these optic nerves. This for a clear vision health of these optic nerves too is very important.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage these optic nerves resulting in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. However, with early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.
Causing factors for Glaucoma ?
- Age of 45 and above.
- Family history of glaucoma.
- Abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Diabetes
- Myopia (nearsightedness).
- Long-term Steroid/Cortisone use.
- Eye injury
Symptoms:
- Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms
- Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects
- Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare
- Change in color of iris
- Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids
- Recurrent pain in or around eyes
- Double vision
- Dark spot at the center of viewing
- Lines and edges appear distorted or wavy
- Excess tearing or "watery eyes"
- Dry eyes with itching or burning; and
- Seeing spots, ghost-like images
HOW IS GLAUCOMA DIAGNOSED ?
In our centre Comprehensive clinical examination done for glaucoma patient which includes :
- Visual FeildTest(Perimetry),
- Slit Lamp Examination,
- Non Contact Tonometry and Applanation Tonometry (To check eye pressure accurately)
- Fundus and Optic Nerve Head Examination( Fundus Photo)
- Gonioscopy (Checking drainage channels of eye)
- Central Corneal Thickness(Pachymetry).
- OCT (RNFL)
TREATMENT
Laser treatment :
- Nd YAG Laser for iridotomies,
- Diode laser for Trabeculoplasty.
Surgical treatments :
Non penetrating surgeries like Deep Sclerectomy ,Trabeculotomy, and surgeries for advanced glaucomas
Other surgeries : Squint, ptosis, pterygium, DCR surgery