Glaucoma –the killer cause of blindness

There appears to be rising cases of blindness caused by glaucoma, which is an eye disorder that affects the optic nerve of the eye. It is mainly caused by high pressure build up. But people regularly mistake it for cataracts, and embark on a deluge of wrong medication through eye drops, sometimes without doctors prescription, until it is too late.

Medical Science has been battling to find the origin and causes of glaucoma. At first it was recognized by a group of Greek Medical Practitioners in 400BC, and they called it “Glaucosis” ie bluish tinge hue of the eye.

The Arabians writing in 19th century called it elavated “Intra Ocular Pressure(IOP)”.

In the 19th century, glaucoma was recognized as a distinct group of illness that causes blindness..

The prevalence of glaucoma has always affected people within the age range of 40 to 80 years, that is 3.45% of the population. The prevalence of Primary Angle Glaucoma (PDAG), is highest in Africa 4.2%, while Nigeria has the highest in Africa. 4.5%, but the Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG) is highest in Asia 1.09%.

In 2013 the number of people 40 to 80 years with glaucoma, world wide was estimated to be 64.3 million, increasing to 76.0 million in 2020. For which Africa and Nigeria are more than half.

Men are usually more prone to glaucoma world-wide because of anatomical disposition.

The average eye pressure is 15 mmHg (millimeters of Mercury). The range of normal eye pressure is much larger – between 10 to 21. Even though, this does not mean if you have a pressure of 22 or higher it is abnormal. Okay let start from the beginning.

Glaucoma is the eye disorder that affects the optic nerve of the eye, which receives impulses from the retina and transmits to the brain. It is mainly caused by high pressure in your eyes. This condition is called “ocular hypertension “. If this condition is not treated on time, the first peripheral vision loss occurs and finally it leads to complete blindness.

Sometimes glaucoma may occur due to normal pressure in the eye, this is caused by poor blood supply to the optic nerve. It can be reremedied with early treatment.

Glaucoma, generally, has no symptoms, but as the days go by, you may notice symptoms when the disease reaches advanced stage. So it is important to have regular eye check, including pressure measurement in the eye.

There are many types of glaucoma, but the most common are :

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) this type reduces your peripheral vision, without any associated symptoms. It is painless and often the 04 08patient does not feel the loss of vision until the last stage of the disease. Once the vision is impaired it cannot be reversed through medication or surgery.

Sometimes glaucoma may be due to structural defect in the drainage system of the eye. It May be hereditary, so there is no cure. But some treatment may slow down the progress of this disease or arrest its progress permanently.

Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) – It is also called low tension glaucoma. Sometimes with normal intra ocular pressure, optic nerve may get damaged and vision loss may occur. It is due to poor blood supply to the nerves, thus causing cell death, that carries impulses from the retina to the brain.

Angle Closure Glaucoma – this type of glaucoma occurs in people of Asian descent, or people who are naturally far sighted. It is also called acute angle glaucoma. Its symptoms may be sudden in onset, example – headache, pain in the eyes, dilated pupils, red eyes, loss of vision, halos around light, nausea and vomiting. In most people the angle is about 40 degrees. As the sufferers age, demand for higher frequecy lenses become inevitable.

Pressure builds up due to blockage of drainage, narrowing the angle, until it fully gets blocked to cause blindness.

Pigmented Glaucoma – It is a rare type of hereditary glaucoma. It occurs mostly in women. It is due to clogging of the drainage angle that causes pigment layer to shade into the aqueous humor and onto neighbouring structures.

It is always nice to evaluate the associated risk factors that could lead to glaucoma, so as to take precautionary measures. Some of the conditions involved include :

People above 45.

Hereditary family history.

People with raised intra ocular pressure.

Medical conditions such as myopia, diabetes, hyperopia, previous eye injury, and long term use of corticosteroids.

People of African descent.

Severe pain in the eyes is usually the first sign of glaucoma.

Redness of the eye.

Blurred or cloudy eye particularly in infants.

Tunnel vision.

Persistent headache – which appears to gravitate towards the eye balls.

Nausea and vomiting.

Rainbow colored halos around any light.

Blind spot at peripheral vision, and also outer field of vision.

Central vision is affected, while sight is fully lost.

Inflammation of the eye and regular infections.

Gradual vision loss.

Inability to drive because of blurred vision.

Bleeding and infection of the eye after operation.

Diagnosis of glaucoma should be left to the professionals. Generally, glaucoma is an irreversible eye disorder. Hence it is advisable to watch out for early signs and symptoms of glaucoma as listed above and consult your doctor,

To prevent glaucoma the following steps must be taken by everyone predisposed to glaucoma.

Regular eye examination.

Daily exercise such as walking, jogging and running have chances of maintaining the normal intra ocular pressure.

During exercise or yoga practice, you should avoid inverted positions, like head

and shoulder stands.

Wear protective eyeglasses during your sports activities and home improvements or domestic projects, that involve exposure to gasses.

If you notice any blurred vision, please consult your doctor immediately.

In general, check up for glaucoma be done as follows

Before 40(eye check every 2 to 4 years.

From 40 to 54 every 3 years.

From 55 to 64 check your eye every 1 to 2 years.

From 60 and above check every 5 to 12 months.