Glaucoma is an eye condition or eye disease that occurs due to damage in the eye’s optic nerves. It occurs when the fluid in the front part of the eye builds up causing intraocular pressure eventually damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness mainly in the age group above 60 years. There’s no specific glaucoma cure, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision. Eye specialists in kerala can offer you better vision and help you to read better, look better and live a better life with the right treatment. 

     Symptoms of glaucoma

    Although, no symptoms are seen during the early stages of glaucoma, as the eye disease progresses the patient may experience the below symptoms:

• Blurred or hazy vision
• Severe eye pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Redness in the eye
• Tunnel vision
• Seeing halos around lights

     The risk factors of glaucoma

   Some people have a higher chance of getting glaucoma eye disease, this includes people who: 

• are above the age of 40
• have a family history of glaucoma
• are of African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage 
• increased eye pressure
• nearsightedness 
• have had an eye injury 
• have thinner corneas in the center
• are using long-term steroids and other medications
• are having thinner optic nerves
• have diabetes, migraine, high blood pressure, 

If you have experienced more than one of these risk factors then you are at a higher risk of glaucoma. 

     The different types of glaucoma 

     There are four different types of glaucoma:

1. Open Angle Glaucoma – This is the most common type of glaucoma and it occurs when the eye does not drain fluid as it normally should leading to increased pressure and damage of the optic nerve. This kind of glaucoma has no visible symptoms and is painless. 
2. Closed Angle Glaucoma – Also called Angle-Closure Glaucoma or Narrow Angle Glaucoma. This type of glaucoma occurs when the iris is too close to the drainage angle and blocks it raising the eye pressure.
3. Normal-Tension Glaucoma– usually occurs when the optic nerve in the eye is damaged despite normal intraocular pressure levels.
4. Congenital Glaucoma – Rarely seen in infants and young children, it is a genetic defect affecting the drainage system of the eye.                       

     Treatment options for glaucoma

One of the most effective ways to diagnose glaucoma is through routine eye checkups with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. During an eye exam, the doctor will measure the pressure inside the eye. They will also examine the optic nerves. Lastly, they will perform certain visual field tests to check for any loss of peripheral vision. 

Once detected one of the primary glaucoma treatment is the use of eye drops. If used regularly or as prescribed, it can lower eye pressure by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid thereby reducing pressure and helping the fluid flow through the drainage angle. Surgery is another treatment for glaucoma, there are two main types of surgery, trabeculectomy is often prescribed for open angle glaucoma and iridotomy for angle closure glaucoma. Surgery also includes laser treatment for glaucoma which also helps to keep the glaucoma eye disease to a minimum.

Rather than loosing your vision completely due to glaucoma, taking treatment will ensure slowing down and even arresting the advancing vision-loss, helping the patients live quality life for longer.  

     Preventing Glaucoma

While there is no sure shot way to prevent glaucoma, there are several steps that patients can take to reduce the risk of developing glaucoma. The first glaucoma cure is, regular and routine eye checkups to help detect glaucoma during its early developmental phase. Make sure to always visit your eye doctor every once in a while to rule out any possibility of glaucoma and to undertake the necessary treatments at the right time to save your eyesight. 

Dr Rani Menon’s Eye Clinic in Thrissur offers the best glaucoma surgery in kerala. We perform surgeries with precision and professionalism, our biggest asset is having the best lineup of advanced eyecare doctors in kerala. Dr Rani Menon’s Eye Clinic is the best eye care clinic in kerala offering the most modern and advanced eye care treatment in glaucoma. Our specialized eye care center offers the best recovery treatments after the surgery.