Home Treatments Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a collective term for a group of eye conditions that damage your eye's optic nerve, a critical connection between the eye and the brain. Typically, this damage arises from fluid accumulation in the front portion of the eye, which ultimately harms the optic nerve.
Symptoms of glaucoma often begin insidiously in the peripheral field of vision, and they can go unnoticed for a considerable period, earning it the moniker of the "silent thief of sight." In India, it goes by various local names like kala-motiya, kanchbindu, kala-paani, and jhamar. It is crucial to remember that there is no known cure for glaucoma. However, early detection is pivotal in slowing its progression and safeguarding your vision.

About Glaucoma Eye Surgery

Types of Glaucoma

  • 1. Open-angle glaucoma: is the most prevalent form of glaucoma, characterised by a gradual onset. It occurs when the eye fails to drain fluid like a clogged drain efficiently. Consequently, intraocular pressure increases, resulting in damage to the optic nerve. Initially, this type of glaucoma is painless and does not bring about any vision changes. Some individuals may have optic nerves that are particularly sensitive to normal eye pressure, increasing their susceptibility to glaucoma. Hence, regular eye examinations are imperative to detect early signs of optic nerve damage.
  • 2. Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type materialises when an individual's iris is near the eye's drainage angle. The iris can obstruct the drainage angle, like a piece of paper plugging a sink drain. When the drainage angle becomes completely blocked, intraocular pressure skyrockets abruptly, leading to an acute attack. This constitutes a genuine eye emergency, necessitating immediate contact with an ophthalmologist, as blindness may ensue.
  • 3. Normal Tension Glaucoma:People afflicted with "normal tension glaucoma" exhibit eye pressure within the normal range but display signs of glaucoma, such as blind spots in their field of vision and optic nerve damage.
  • Causes of Glaucoma

    Glaucoma can manifest without any specific cause, but several factors can contribute to its development. Foremost among these factors is intraocular eye pressure. Your eyes produce a fluid called aqueous humour, which nourishes them. This fluid flows through your pupil toward the front of your eye. In a healthy look, the fluid exits through the drainage canals between the iris and the cornea. In cases of glaucoma, resistance within these drainage canals increases, which may be an inherited trait. Consequently, the fluid accumulates within the eye, exerting pressure on vision. Over time, elevated eye pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to glaucoma.

    Signs & Symptoms

    Severe headache

    Severe eye pain

    Nausea or vomiting

    Blurred vision

    Halos or colored rings around lights

    Eye redness

    difficulty seeing things in your central vision

    Risk Factors

    Age above 40 years

    Family history of glaucoma

    African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage

    Elevated eye pressure

    Farsighted or nearsighted vision

    Prior eye injury

    Prolonged use of steroid medications

    Thin corneas at the centre

    Optic nerve thinning

    Concurrent health conditions like diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, poor blood circulation, or systemic issues affect the whole body.

    FAQ

    1- What is glaucoma?

    Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual signals from the eye to the brain. It is often caused by increased pressure in the eye and can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

    2- What are the risk factors for glaucoma?

    The risk factors for glaucoma include age (being over 50 years old), family history of glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), near-sightedness, previous eye injuries or surgeries, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.

    3- What are the common symptoms of glaucoma?

    In the early stages, glaucoma may not have any symptoms. One of the earliest indicators is frequent change of glasses. As the condition progresses, it may cause symptoms such as loss of peripheral field of vision, frontal headache, blurred vision, colored halos around lights and pain or redness in the eyes. Regular comprehensive eye examinations, including measurement of eye pressure, are essential for early detection of glaucoma especially in cases with a strong family history of glaucoma..

    4- How is glaucoma diagnosed?

    Glaucoma is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination that includes measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) by contact tonometry method, examining the optic nerve head and assessing the visual field. Additional tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and gonioscopy, may also be performed to determine the type and severity of glaucoma.

    5- What are the treatment options for glaucoma?

    The treatment options for glaucoma depend on the type and severity of the condition. The majority of patients are managed medically by lifelong eye drop therapy. The eye drops work in glaucoma by reducing the intraocular pressure. The other treatment options are oral medications, laser therapy, and surgery.

    Testimonials from our patients

    We understand that clear and enhanced vision is a precious gift that transforms lives. With each individual and family, we’ve had the privilege to serve, our commitment to exceptional eye care has yielded more than just healthier eyes! We proudly share the heartfelt experiences of our patients, who have entrusted us with the chance to serve them, enhancing their life experiences.

    Pradeep Parmar

    It's was good experience, The facilities they provides and the technology they used for check up are of high quality. Beautiful experience.. Visited the hospital for the first time and I'm highly satisfied and happy with the overall experience.. They take care of you completely and also follow all the necessary precautions of Covid 19... Keep up the good work.

    Mrunali Tikle

    The staff is very polite and clearly explains everything. The Senior Dr.Bhushan Ghodke is very patient and gives enough time on explaining things technically to their patients. It was a nice experience being here and the best part was, it was free eye checkup camp but there was no compromises done with the quality pr service. Highly recommended it.

    Chandani Gupta

    My grandfather's Right eye cataract surgery was done at Iksha Eye Care by Dr. Bhushan Ghodke.. We all are really really happy and satisfied with the overall treatment and assistance given to us. Staff is doing a fantastic job. Thank you so much for the right guidance and help. Highly recommended...

    Ayushi Shah

    I had an emergency visit and the receptionist Chaitali calmed me down immediately, took me to Dr. Pooja who quickly checked the damage to my eye, gave me appropriate eye drops and put a bandaid on me, within 15 mins of it all! Super quick & tender care.

    Prashant .Sharma

    My eyes got infected due to a toxic reaction caused by some chemicals. Iksha eye care, and Doctor Pooja and her team were a relief to visit. The clinic is very hospitable, and within a week I got perfectly fine. The treatment suited me well, it is a must recommend place for any eye issues you may have. Also, very affordable.

    Chetna Shah

    Dr. Bhushan Ghodke treated the cataract in both my eyes and the entire procedure, from the first visit to the last check-up was absolutely amazing. The doctor and the staff are extremely kind and helped explain the procedure clearly. The overall treatment and experience was great - I would surely recommend Iksha Eye Care!

    Dr Khoje Smita

    I am totally satisfied with Doctor and staff. The explanation by doctor was good. And check up was also good.