Glaucoma – a Silent Killer of eyesight

GLAUCOMA – A SILENT KILLER OF EYESIGHT

 

 

 

Glaucoma is a condition in which a patient loses peripheral vision initially, then central vision and finally becomes totally blind. This cannot be reversed, but can be stopped from progressing. It is extremely important to detect glaucoma early. Once it is detected the patient is asked to use eye drops to control the eye pressure, which is usually high in glaucoma patients.

Normal eye pressure is 10-21 mm Hg. When eye pressure increases beyond 21mm Hg, there is a high risk of developing glaucoma. Eye drops and surgery help to bring down the eye pressure.

There are cases which have a normal eye pressure but still develop glaucoma. This is called normal pressure glaucoma. A field test helps to detect glaucoma in such cases.

Glaucoma runs in families. It is important to get family members screened for glaucoma once a year.