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Glaucoma refers to a category of eye disorders oftenassociated with a dangerous buildup of internal eye pressure (intraocularpressure or IOP), which can damage the eye’s optic nerve that
transmits visualinformation to the brain. If left untreated, most types of glaucoma progress ( withoutwarning or obvious symptoms to the patient) towards gradually worsening visualdamage and
may lead to blindness. Once incurred, visual damage is mostlyirreversible, and this has led to glaucoma being described as the “silentblinding disease” or the “sneak thief of sight”. WHAT
ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR GLAUCOMA? Awareness and early Detection of glaucoma are extremelyimportant because this disease can be successfully treated when diagnosedearly. While everyone is at
risk for glaucoma, certain people are at a muchhigher risk and need to be checked more frequently by their eye doctor. Themajor risk factors include: Ageover 45 years
Familyhistory of glaucoma Backracial ancestry Diabetes Historyof elevated intraocular pressure Nearsightedness(high
degree of myopia), Historyof injury to the eye Useof cortisone (steroids), either in the eye or systemically (orally or injected) SYMPTOMS Glaucoma can develop in
one or both eyes. The most commontype of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, has no symptoms at first. It causes nopain, and vision seems normal. Without treatment, people with glaucoma will
slowly losetheir peripheral, or side vision. They seem to be looking through a tunnel.Over time, straight-ahead vision may decrease until no vision remains. WHAT TESTS ARE USED FOR DIAGNOSIS
OF GLAUCOMA? Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive eye exam thatincludes Visualacuity test fundus examination, Gonioscopy
Tonometry Pachymetry Visualfield testing Opticalcoherence Imaging SCREENING FOR GLAUCOMA Routine screening eye examinations are mandatory
sinceglaucoma usually causes no symptoms (asymptomatic) in its early stages. Oncedamage to the optic nerve has occurred, it cannot be reversed. Thus, in orderto preserve vision, glaucoma
must be diagnosed early and followed regularly. GLAUCOMA TREATMENT Depending on the severity, treatment can involve glaucomasurgery, lasers, or medication. Eye drops with medication aimed at
lowering IOPusually are tried first to control glaucoma. There is no cure for glaucoma as yet, and vision loss isirreversible. however medication or surgery (traditional or laser) can halt
orslow-down any further vision loss. Therefore early detection is essential tolimiting visual impairment and preventing the progression towards severe visualhandicap or blindness. Your
eye-care professional can detect glaucoma in itsearly stages and advise you on the best course of action. _The author is Director Eye Care & Research Centre_