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Glaucoma is spectrum of diseases where the optic nerve is damaged most commonly due to increase intraocular pressure. Normal human eye functions like a camera. When we look at any object the image falls on the neurosensory retina and is carried to the brain via optic nerve. Optic nerve is like an electrical cable with more than a million wires. Increase in intraocular pressure damages these wires (optic nerve fibers) causing their death, resulting in blind spots in field of vision. When the disease is advanced it can cause total blindness.
One can have glaucoma even with normal pressure. It is diagnosed by eye pressure check up, visual fields or perimetry test, OCT and other modalities. The risk factors for glaucoma are age above 40, family history of glaucoma, Asian African origin, and use of steroid drops or tablets of any kind. Treatment for glaucoma is by anti glaucoma drops, laser and trabeculectomy or shunt surgery. With periodic check ups and control of glaucoma, it is possible to maintain useful vision through out life. At Kokilaben Hospital, Glaucoma Clinic is scheduled on every Tuesday.