Glaucoma Faq's

Q.1. What is Glaucoma?
A.1. Glaucoma is a condition where the intra-ocular pressure of the eye is sufficiently high to cause damage to the optic nerve. It is one of the leading causes of blindness.

Q.2. How does glaucoma affect normal lifestyle?
A.2. Whenever we look at an object, the image of that object falls on the retina (neurosensory layer of the eye). From there, it is carried to the brain via the optic nerve. The optic nerve is like an electric cable with millions of nerve fibers. With increase of pressure within the eye, these nerve fibers die, resulting in damage to the optic nerve. This is usually not noticed by the patients until the damage becomes quite advanced.

Q.3. What are the treatment modalities are available?
A.3. The modalities of treatment are:

• Instilling eye drops regularly as prescribed by the eye doctor to reduce and control intra-ocular fluid pressure.
• Using tablets over a short span of time to decrease the pressure during acute attacks or to help in bringing down the pressure when eye drops alone are not sufficient.
• Laser treatment – Laser Iridotomy, Laser Trabeculoplasty.

Q.4. What is the risk involved in Glaucoma?
A.4. Risk factors for Glaucoma includes:

• Age factor, especially for people over forty.
• Family history of glaucoma, diabetes and far sightedness to name a few
• Use any medication without an eye doctor’s approval.
• Continuous use of different types of steroid eye-drops can cause glaucoma.
• Once diagnosed, a glaucoma patient needs periodic eye check-up.

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