Glaucoma: It’s affects and treatment

Glaucoma is a set of diseases that affects the optic nerve. In glaucoma, there is a rise in the fluid pressure in the anterior or the front chamber of the eye. If left untreated, it might even lead to partial or complete vision loss.

Now, normally, a clear fluid flows in and out of the front chamber of the eye, cleaning and bathing the nearby tissues. But, in glaucoma, this fluid out flow reduces and builds up inside the chamber, causing a rise in the pressure inside the eye. Unless this pressure is controlled and brought down, it could cause damage to the nerve that carries information to and fro the brain, the optic nerve. Glaucoma could cause constant headaches and even vision loss.

There could be not one, but many risk factors that could lead to this pressure build up and damage inside the eyes. Increasing age, thyroid dysfunction, some tumor, diabetes, an advanced cataract or some kind of inflammation could be among the causes that lead to glaucoma. An eye surgery can also sometimes lead to altered fluid flow from the anterior chamber and glaucoma. Usually after surgeries, corticosteroids are prescribed for the eyes; they can also cause glaucoma, if used for long.

To treat glaucoma, either the flow of fluid from the chamber needs to be improved, or the production of the fluid needs to be controlled. There are a number of options among eye drops that can help relieve the intra-ocular pressure and treat glaucoma. Prostaglandin analogues, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cholinergic agents and beta blockers are to name a few categories. But all these must be prescribed after thorough check-up and confirmation from the eye specialists. Surgical options are also available, like laser surgery, filtering surgery and drainage implant. The treatments usually vary from person to person depending on the type of glaucoma they have.

Even though this condition is unavoidable most of the times, compliance to medications and any treatment is vital for positive results. We must care and nurture the gift of eyesight, so as to cherish the beauty around us.