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By Dr. Raman Mehta in Ophthalmology
Jan 23 , 2025 | 2 min read
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Glaucoma is a cause of irreversible blindness. People often call glaucoma the "silent thief of sight." The condition progresses silently, especially because it mostly occurs without the presence of observable symptoms until some serious vision loss occur. That's why glaucoma awareness becomes important in order to prevent irreversible damage and safekeeping of the eyesight.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that impacts the optic nerve, which is responsible for the conveyance of visual information from the retina to the brain. The main forms of glaucoma relate to increased pressure within the eye, called intraocular pressure or IOP, though it is possible to get glaucoma at normal eye pressures. The most common two types are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.
- Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type, which progresses slowly. This often is a painless process, and gradually, there is damage to the optic nerve.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: It develops suddenly and is far less common. It is characterised by a rapid pressure rise in the eye, and therefore, urgent treatment is required to salvage the remaining vision.
Why is Early Detection Important?
In the earlier stages, there are few or no symptoms; consequently, a peripheral loss of field of vision gradually occurs unnoticed till the disease reaches an advanced level. Untreated glaucoma can cause complete blindness; however, its progression may be slowed, with further vision loss prevented through prompt detection and the appropriate treatment applied.
Several conditions predispose a person to the development of glaucoma. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Age: Individuals over 50 are at a higher risk.
- Family History: If you have relatives who suffer from glaucoma, you'll be at more risk.
- Eye Injuries: Trauma to the eye can heighten the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Other Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease can make a person develop glaucoma.
How to Protect Your Eyesight
To reduce the likelihood of developing glaucoma, protect your eyesight by taking several measures. For instance, take the following safety measures:
- Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams: The best way to detect glaucoma early is through regular comprehensive eye exams. Optometrists or ophthalmologists can measure your intraocular pressure, inspect your optic nerve, and assess your peripheral vision.
- Family History: If glaucoma runs in your family, inform your eye care professional. Early screening and monitoring can help detect any signs of the disease before significant damage occurs.
- Take care of your health: Managing diabetes and high blood pressure can be an effective measure to reduce your risk of glaucoma. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, and avoidance of smoking is also good for your eyes.
- Follow-up treatment: Glaucoma diagnosis should be followed up by following a doctor's treatment plan, which can include prescription eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery depending on the degree of the disease.
Glaucoma is an eye disease often undetected and serious; it can cause permanent loss of vision. You can, however, protect your vision and quality of life through early diagnosis and consistent management. Be vigilant of your eye health, get regular eye exams, and take proactive steps to secure your eyesight. Remember that the earlier you begin taking care of your eyes, the better the chances of avoiding permanent vision loss.
Dr Raman Mehta
Senior Consultant- OphtalmologyMax Super Speciality Hospital, Noida

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