Condition: Most commonly found in people above the age of 60 years (but can occur in any age), due to high pressure inside the eye. This eye condition damages the optic nerve which is vital for good vision. Vision loss due to glaucoma is not recoverable.
Symptoms: It may be symptomless in the initial stages of disease, where it is very important to diagnose it at an early stage so that treatment can be initiated to prevent vision loss. Peripheral vision or Field of vision loss i.e. loss of vision at the side or tunnel vision is the symptom that some patients may identify but largely it is known as a “silent thief of vision”. Also includes severe headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
Glaucoma is caused due to elevated eye pressure resulting from the build-up of a fluid that flows throughout the inside of your eye. This internal fluid normally drains out through a tissue called the trabecular meshwork at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. Due to overproduction of fluid or damage to the drainage system fluid accumulates causing eye pressure.
A basic eye examination with IOP check (Intra Ocular pressure) with Tonometry is very important to screen patients with tendency to Glaucoma. Further tests Like OCT and Visual Field assessment by Perimetry are required for grading and monitoring of the disease.
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