Is Glaucoma a Real Threat?
Glaucoma is a prevalent eye condition that poses a significant risk of permanent vision loss when left untreated or when treatment is inconsistent. It can lead to deteriorating eyesight, narrowing the field of vision, and, in extreme cases, total vision loss. Vision loss due to glaucoma is irreversible and cannot be restored.
What Is Glaucoma?
Many people may be familiar with cataracts, a condition where the eye lens becomes cloudy, much like frosted glass. Cataracts often develop with age, but they can also result from other causes, such as accidents or congenital factors. Cataracts affect the clarity of vision but are different from glaucoma, which arises due to elevated pressure within the eye and the degeneration of the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. When the pressure within the eye increases, it compresses the optic nerve, causing damage. Prolonged high pressure can result in vision loss. The loss of vision begins at the peripheral edges of the visual field, and if left untreated, it progresses, often affecting both eyes.
Symptoms of Glaucoma:
Glaucoma progresses slowly, and many patients do not exhibit symptoms in the early stages. Often, it is diagnosed as glaucoma without any noticeable pain or abnormalities, except in cases of acute glaucoma, which can cause sudden vision blurriness when exposed to bright light, eye pain, and headaches. Glaucoma can affect people of all ages, but certain groups are at a higher risk, including those over 60, individuals with a family history of glaucoma, diabetics, those with high blood pressure, and those with abnormal eye shapes, either short-sighted or long-sighted.
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
The treatment focuses on reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) by either decreasing the production of aqueous humor or increasing its drainage. Various methods can be employed, such as eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, and surgery. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's condition and the type of glaucoma they have.
However, it is important to note that glaucoma treatment aims to halt the progression of the disease but cannot restore vision that has been lost. Therefore, prevention and early intervention are critical because glaucoma in its early stages often has no symptoms or warning signs, making regular eye examinations by a specialized ophthalmologist essential."
