Glaucoma Treatment
Before moving onto what are the means of treatment, we should try and simply layout what glaucoma refers to and means.
It would quite simply refer to a condition where the nerves conducting signals to and from the eyes and the brains get damaged due to a multitude of reasons.
This loss in signal (mostly arising due to an increase in the pressure in the eyes) could potentially lead to blurry vision and in the worst of cases, complete blindness.
Glaucoma can also be broadly clubbed into 2 different categories:
It would quite simply refer to a condition where the nerves conducting signals to and from the eyes and the brains get damaged due to a multitude of reasons.
This loss in signal (mostly arising due to an increase in the pressure in the eyes) could potentially lead to blurry vision and in the worst of cases, complete blindness.
Glaucoma can also be broadly clubbed into 2 different categories:
- Open Angle This refers to a pretty standard case of glaucoma, resulting in mild loss and damage to peripheral vision, and some other minor factors such as headaches and such.
- Acute Angle This falls under the purview of being a medical emergency leading to immediate medical attention falling under the hands of a medical professional.
- a. Normal - Tension Glaucoma
- b. Pigmentary glaucoma
- c. Glaucoma present in young adolescents or children
The disease of Glaucoma is also known as the 'silent killer of sight'.
Causes & Types Of Glaucoma
Now, we should throw some light on the possible causes of glaucoma:As stated above, the primary cause of this diseases is any harm caused to the nerve transmitting data between the eyes and the brain. As nerves worsen with the passage of time, they create some empty spots in vision. Also when there is an overproduction of the fluid in the eyes, a certain type of pressure build-up, leading to further discomfort.
The primary points for the same would be as follows:
- Having a long-running family history of the disease (or referred to as the diseases ‘running in the genes’)
- Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes etc
- Being myopic, or simply put having difficulty reading or seeing things that are close to a person
- Botched eye surgery in one’s past
What Preoperative Investigations Are Required ?
We at Spectra Eye recommend, the following pre-operative investigations:- The power of the lens is determined via a Biometry
- The health of the cornea is ascertained next via a specular microscopy
- The patency of the passage stretching from the eye to the nose is checked up via a Syringing process
- Any damage to the cornea is determined via a corneal topography
- If our experts suspect retinal difficulties with a patient they might recommend an optical coherence tomography to assess the extent of the problem
- For sufferers of advanced cataracts, a USG is performed to check only the structural condition of the retina
- A RAM is conducted next for patients not suffering from advanced cataract to predict the vision quality post-surgery
- The Blood Pressure, Glucose is also checked coupled with an ECG
- A physician clearance is also recommended for patients with other health issues (heart, breathing etc)
Treatment Procedures for the Same
Unfortunately, the disease cannot be completely reversed, however certain steps can be taken to curb the rising pressure in one’s eye muscles leading to the onset.- The most optimal solution for the same would be – medicines.
- Lasers – these help to create a different pathway for the light to pass, thus reducing strain on the damaged nerves.
- Surgery – These serve as a last measure used to treat the last stages of the diseases and the expert at Spectra, certainly help patients when and if the need should arise for the same.
- Family History – parent or sibling
- Age above 40 years
- Myopia, hypermetropia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypertension, hypotension
- Hypothyroidism
- Eye inflammation, trauma, neglected cataract
- Prolonged use of steroid medicines, drops or tablets
