Glaucoma Clinic

The symptoms of Glaucoma depend on the stage and type of the disease. Following are the symptoms of Glaucoma on the basis of the type and the stage.

Open-angle Glaucoma

• There are no symptoms when the disease is in its earlier stages.
• Gradually, blind spots start to develop in peripheral vision.
• In advanced stages, difficulty in central vision occurs.

Acute angle-closure Glaucoma

• Severe eye pain
• Severe headache
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Eye redness
• Halos or coloured rings around lights

Normal-tension Glaucoma

• It is asymptomatic in the early stages
• Gradually, there is a blurring of vision
• In advanced stages, there is a loss of peripheral vision.

Glaucoma in children

• Increased blinking
• A cloudy or dull eye
• Tears without crying
• Nearsightedness tends to get worse
• Blurred vision
• Headache

Pigmentary Glaucoma

• Blurred vision with exercise
• Halos around lights
• Gradual vision loss

If you are experiencing symptoms that come on abruptly, it is possible that you might have developed angle-closure Glaucoma. Symptoms of angle-closure Glaucoma include severe eye pain and severe headache. You need treatment for this condition as soon as possible. If you are located in Indore, you can visit the Glaucoma Clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore and get an appointment with an expert who will guide you to the next step.

• Causes
  Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve gets damaged. As the function of this nerve slowly deteriorates, blind spots occur in the field of vision. This nerve damage is generally associated with increased eye pressure.
  
  Increased eye pressure occurs as a result of fluid accumulation throughout the inside of the eye. This fluid is also called aqueous humour and usually drains via a tissue at the angle of the eye where the cornea and iris meet. This tissue is also known as the trabecular meshwork. The cornea plays a crucial role in vision as it allows light to enter the eyes. When the eyes produce an excessive amount of fluid or when the drainage system is not working properly, the pressure inside the eyes increases.
• Open-angle Glaucoma
  This is the commonest type of Glaucoma, where the drainage angle formed by the cornea and the iris remains open. However, other parts of the drainage system don’t drain properly. This may result in a gradual increase in eye pressure.
• Angle-closure Glaucoma
  This type of Glaucoma occurs when there is a bulge in the iris. This bulging iris blocks the drainage angle either partially or completely. Therefore, the fluid can’t circulate through the eye, and the pressure goes on increasing. Angle-closure Glaucoma may either occur suddenly or gradually.
• Normal-tension Glaucoma
  The exact reason why the optic nerve gets damaged when the pressure in the eye is normal is not known. The optic nerve may either experience less blood flow or may be sensitive. This limited amount of blood flow may occur due to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries or other medical conditions that cause damage to the circulatory system. The accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries is also called atherosclerosis.
• Glaucoma in children
  A child may either be born with the condition or develop it within the first few years after birth. Injury to the eye, blocked drainage, or an underlying medical condition may result in damage to the optic nerve.
• Pigmentary Glaucoma
  In this type of Glaucoma, small pigment granules flake off from the iris and slow or obstruct the drainage of fluid from the eyes. Activities like jogging may sometimes cause the pigment granules to stir up. This leads to the accumulation of pigment granules on the tissue located at the eye angle where the cornea meets the iris. This deposition of granules can increase the pressure inside the eyes.
  
  Glaucoma tends to have a familial predisposition. Scientists have identified that in some people, there are genes related to increased eye pressure and optic nerve damage.

Glaucoma can cause damage to the vision before any significant symptoms appear. The following are the risk factors that can precipitate your chances of developing Glaucoma:

• Increased intraocular pressure or increased pressure inside the eye.
• Age above 55 years
• Asian, Black, or Hispanic heritage
• Family history of Glaucoma
• A cornea that is thin in the centre
• Certain medical conditions like migraines, diabetes, sickle anemia, and high blood pressure
• Extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness
• Using corticosteroid medications such as eye drops for a prolonged period
• Eye injury or some type of eye surgery
• Some people genetically have narrow drainage angles, which puts them at an increased risk of developing angle-closure Glaucoma.

Following are the steps you can take to prevent vision loss or slow its progression when Glaucoma can be detected and managed in its early stages:

• Get regular eye examinations
  Getting comprehensive eye examinations regularly can help diagnose Glaucoma in earlier stages before substantial damage occurs. If you have risk factors for getting Glaucoma, more frequent screening is required. Your healthcare provider will recommend the right screening schedule for you.
• Family history of Glaucoma
  You are at a higher risk of developing Glaucoma if your family member or close relative has it, as Glaucoma tends to run in families.
• Wear eye protection
  Serious eye injuries can cause Glaucoma. Therefore, you must wear eye protection when you play sports or use power tools.
• Take prescribed eye drops regularly
  Eye drops prescribed for Glaucoma can significantly decrease the risk of progression of high eye pressure into Glaucoma. Even if you have no symptoms, you must use the eye drops prescribed by your doctor regularly.

The Glaucoma Clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore, evaluates and treats patients with Glaucoma and other conditions in which there is high eye pressure. It also provides comprehensive management of congenital Glaucoma, a rare condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure and corneal enlargement present during the first few years of birth. Patients belonging to all age groups, from newborns to elderly people, receive treatment in our clinic. Our Glaucoma Clinic is equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to treat blindness and other complications related to Glaucoma.