Glaucoma

The reason for damage is the pressure that gets created on the optic nerve for various reasons. The optic nerve is attached to the brain, which sends captured images that become vision. So, when the optic nerve is damaged severely, it is a situation of slow vision loss and that is what is the first sign of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the number one reason for blindness in the US in senior citizens above the age of 65 years. However, it can occur in all age groups of people, including youngsters and minors. There are two major types of glaucoma, one is called open angle glaucoma and second is closed or angle closure glaucoma; the more common one in both of these is open angle glaucoma.

How many types of Glaucoma

There are various Types of glaucoma that may occur in different people, but two are the major types: open angle glaucoma and close or angle closure glaucoma.

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Open angle Glaucoma:

This is a commonly seen glaucoma in all age groups, especially senior adults. It is a chronic idiopathic condition that damages optic nerve distortion, the signals sent to the brain, and affect negatively the vision. This type develops when fluids stop draining as the drainage is blocked, which creates pressure on the optic nerve. This type develops slowly, and it won’t affect the vision in the beginning as well. Thus, it becomes difficult to identify or restrict at the early stage.

Close angle glaucoma:

It is also called angle closure glaucoma and develops when there is a short distance between the iris and the drainage angle in the eye. Ultimately, it is also related to blockage of drainage in the eye only, which develops pressure on the optic nerve and leads to vision loss if not treated at the right time.

Pigmentary glaucoma:

Pigmentary glaucoma is related to the pigment released from the iris, which blocks the drainage pipe of either eye or both eyes. This condition creates pressure on the optic nerve, and the damage it causes is called pigmentary glaucoma.

Neovascular glaucoma:

It is a kind of glaucoma where the angle is very near to the new blood vessels. These new blood vessels grow at the drainage area, blocking the veins and thus developing pressure on the glaucoma. It is seen in older adults and senior citizens in most cases.

Congenital glaucoma:

Congenital is also called juvenile glaucoma, which is an underdeveloped eye in the womb, and when the child is born, it develops pressure on the optic nerve and creates issues. This condition must be treated as soon as possible to save the vision of the child.

What causes glaucoma?

How do you get glaucoma when there is damage in the optic nerve. There are many factors that lead to damage to the optic nerve and, if not medically addressed on time, could bring complete vision loss.

Race: it is seen more in people of African, Asian, and Caribbean origin.

Injuries: if a person has a physical injury in the eye, it could lead to glaucoma.

Age: after the age of 60 years, the chances increase naturally.

Thin corneas: thin corneas will increase intraocular pressure, which develops pressure on the optic nerve.

Family history: if parents had it or siblings had it, then there are chances for a person to develop glaucoma.

Other conditions: other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and sickle cell anaemia can become a cause of glaucoma.

Steroid medication: longer use of steroid medicines will damage the function of the eye drainage system and create pressure on the optic nerve.

Autoimmune condition: autoimmune condition-led inflammation can disturb the eye’s drainage system, which creates pressure on the optic nerve.

Habits: smoking will reduce the flow of blood in the optic nerve, whereas extreme consumption of coffee might increase intraocular pressure on the optic nerve, and both situations will lead to glaucoma.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma physical symptoms

• Pain in the eye
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Red eye

Non-physical symptoms

• Unnoticeable vision loss
• Halo vision
• Tunnel vision
• Psychological degradation by vision loss

What does glaucoma feel like?

In the early stage, it doesn’t have any pain, hence, patients won’t feel anything, but through optic nerve damage, the vision loss is in progress. When it grows, pain in the eye starts with noticeable vision loss or halos in the vision. The fluid that has not been gone through drainage will show up in the eye. At the last stage, it becomes irreversible, and eyesight is lost completely. Hence, starting glaucoma medication through an eye specialist is the key as soon as a person sees the smallest symptom.

What does glaucoma look like?

Point of view of the glaucoma patient

Glaucoma patient’s eye looks like

How to prevent glaucoma?

Regular eye check-up

All health providers suggest regular eye check-ups, especially after the age of 40, as it is common in African people after the age of 40 and, in general, people after the age of 60. Even otherwise, health providers suggest an eye check-up every two years for younger adults.

Physical activity

Being physically active is the key, and it is important when it comes to eye health or overall health. Everyone from a very early age should make the habit of walking, jogging, or doing similar normal exercise, which will release the intraocular pressure.

Right diet

Include food that helps eye health in your daily routine through diet; with the help of the right diet, eye health can be maintained. Increasing vitamins C, E, and A will help along with omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, if you include foods that contain zinc, copper, and selenium with leafy vegetables, your eyes will remain healthy.

Control habits

Reduce the intake of caffeine and alcohol; they increase the intraocular pressure, and through that, the optical nerve gets damaged. The same adverse effect is the habit of smoking; thus, avoiding or controlling these habits will increase health and decrease the chances of glaucoma.

Blood pressure and diabetes control

For the patients of blood pressure and diabetes controlling them will be the way to avoid the condition. Both these conditions can create pressure on the optic nerve.

Don’t let pressure come on the eyes

Sleeping on the eyes or putting hands while sleeping can create pressure on the eyes. Moreover, taking care of not getting any physical injuries in the eyes or surrounding area will ensure you don’t get pressure on the optic nerve.

Who treats glaucoma?

Eye specialists like ophthalmologists and optometrists will treat the condition through glaucoma tests as they are qualified for it. There are many great options in medicines for glaucoma treatments, and they will be suggested by eye specialists. Bimatoprost-based Lashona is one of the best choices. It is manufactured and marketed by Actiza Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd., an India-based company. Bimatoprost is an approved medicine by the US FDA and is available in liquid drop form. One another option is Lashisma by Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd., which is also a bimatoprost-based medicine.

Conclusion

Glaucoma is a common eye condition that is related to the optic nerve of the eye, which connects with the brain and sends visual; when this nerve gets damaged, it creates this condition.

There are multiple types, and they are treatable, but this condition has to be treated at the early stage as soon as a person sees any symptoms, otherwise, it could lead to complete vision loss.

With medication like glaucoma eye drops, certain lifestyle changes, and self-control, one can defeat this medical condition.