Glaucoma Awareness
Glaucoma…The Silent Thief Of Vision
By Dr Sean Grinovich
In a recent survey, blindness was
ranked third behind cancer and heart
disease, as most peoples’ major
health related fear. One disease that
specifically preys upon this fear is
glaucoma, a frequently “silent” thief
of vision. In response, January is
observed as Glaucoma Awareness
Month in many countries worldwide.
Below you will find useful information
that can help you to better understand
Glaucoma.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is actually a group of
diseases, which cause damage to the
optic nerve (the pathway connecting
the eye and the brain), leading to
a progressive and irreversible loss
of vision. According to the World
Health Organisation, it is the second
leading cause of blindness worldwide,
affecting more than 60 million people.
Unfortunately, experts estimate that
half of those affected are unaware that
they have the disease.
Are there different types of
glaucoma?
Many varieties exist, but there are two
broad categories, open angle and
angle closure. Open angle is the most
common type, in which the drainage
tissues inside the eye do not function
as efficiently as they should. This often
leads to increased pressure inside the
eye and subsequent damage to the
optic nerve. The process develops
slowly, and as a result of the lack of
symptoms, up to 40% of one’s vision
can be lost before the individual
becomes aware.
descent are considered high risk.
Another prominent risk factor is the
presence of glaucoma in immediate
family
members.
Additional
associations include a history of prior
blunt trauma to an eye, high dose
steroid medication usage, diabetes,
and high myopia (near-sightedness).
Routine
screening
exams
are
recommended roughly every 4-5 years
for those under age 40, every 2 years
for those aged 40-54, every 1-2 years
for those aged 55-65, and yearly for
those over age 65. For patients at high
risk, annual screening should start at
age 35.
How can glaucoma be
diagnosed?
How is glaucoma treated?
Early detection is really
the key to protecting one’s
vision from damage. Routine
examinations should include
tonometry (measurement
of the eye pressure) and
ophthalmoscopy (dilated
examination of the structures
in the back segment of
the eye). Cases of greater
suspicion require more
formal measurement of
peripheral vision (perimetry),
as this is where the functional
evidence of damage first
presents. In addition, more
detailed measurement of
the optic nerve tissue is often
obtained to assist in longer
term management decisions.
Angle closure glaucoma more
commonly
affects
the
Asian
population, and is caused by a physical
obstruction of the normal drainage
anatomy. This less common variety
can present with a sudden onset of
severe pain and a dramatic rise in eye
pressure, requiring immediate medical
attention.
What are risk factors for
glaucoma?
No one is immune from risk. Although
increasing age is a risk factor (risk is six
times higher after age 60), the disease
can occur in young people, and
occasionally is even found in babies.
People of African, Latino, or Asian
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After The Bell
The good news is that when
diagnosed promptly, the vast majority
of cases can be managed to avoid
significant progressive visual loss.
Typically, treatment begins with
topical eye drops intended to lower
the eye pressure. When necessary,
this can be augmented with multiple
varieties of laser and incisional surgical
procedures.
In conclusion, glaucoma remains a
leading cause of blindness when
left untreated, and at present is not
curable. Although some people are at
higher risk, everyone is at some risk.
Given the common lack of symptoms,
the best way to protect your sight
from glaucoma is simply to get tested.
Diagnosis is the first step to preserving
your vision.
(Statistics courtesy of the Glaucoma Research
Foundation)
Dr. Sean Grinovich is a General
Ophthalmologist who practices at Oasis
Hospital in Al Ain.