World Glaucoma Week: Symptoms, types, prevention!

Zee Media Bureau

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Glaucoma is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in the eye. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the third in India.

Who gets glaucoma?

Although, glaucoma can affect any age group, including infants, it is more common in older adults. Glaucoma has been called the 'silent thief of sight' because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain until it is severe.

There are many types of glaucoma, however, the disorders can be roughly divided into two main categories: ‘open-angle’ and ‘closed-angle’ or ‘angle closure’.

Symptoms of glaucoma

Symptoms may include:

• Open-angle glaucoma - which is painless and does not have acute attacks until the disease is at an advanced stage, patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) or central vision in both sides.
• Acute angle-closure - eye pain, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, narrowing of vision, halos around lights.

Prevention

There is no cure for glaucoma yet, the vision loss due to the condition can’t be restored. The best way to prevent getting the disorder is to have regular eye exams. And if are over 40 or have a family history of glaucoma, get your eye screened for the condition at least once a year.

Because early diagnosis can help manage the disease as well the key to preserving vision.

World Glaucoma Week is being observed worldwide from March 6 to 12.  It is a joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association. The aim is to create greater awareness about glaucoma while encouraging people to have regular eye checks, including optic nerve checks.