Comprehensive Guide to Glaucoma: Diagnosis and Treatment

Glaucoma is an eye condition in which the optic nerve gets damaged due to excessive pressure caused by the aqueous humour (eye fluid). The disease is commonly found in people more than 60 years old. It is the primary cause of blindness in old age people. The vision loss caused by the disease is irreversible therefore, timely intervention is significant.

There are two types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle. The open angle is asymptomatic whereas the closed angle shows some symptoms but the attack is sudden. The disease requires immediate medical supervision.

Diagnosis of Glaucoma

Identifying the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is challenging but at MM Joshi Eye Institute, our team of specialized doctors can detect the intraocular eye pressure and control it most effectively. Some of the tests at our hospital that help in the diagnosis process are as follows:

• Tonometry is a technique used to measure the intraocular pressure in the eye. It is the most commonly used method to detect eye pressure and check the effectiveness of the glaucoma treatment.
• Gonioscopy – Gonioscopy is an eye test that checks the early signs of glaucoma. The test uses a specialised lens and slit lamp to evaluate the drainage angle of the eye. If the drainage angle is blocked or closed, you may have glaucoma. The test is among the most prominent tests to detect glaucoma.
• Ophthalmoscopy – Ophthalmoscopy is the most critical step to evaluate the optic nerve damage. The test detects the interior part of the eye, the retina and the optic nerve to check the damage. It is the best way to check the progression of the glaucoma.
• Perimetry – This is a visual field test that detects the loss of peripheral vision. It provides a vision map that helps to figure out the underlying cause of vision loss and associated problems.

Treatments for Glaucoma

An unattended glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness. Therefore, early detection and timely intervention are of utmost importance. The treatment cannot reverse the vision loss but can control the damage and further progression.

MM Joshi Eye Institute Hubli provides you with a team of the best ophthalmologists who can diagnose the disease in its early stages and give you the best treatment to combat the progression. The hospital is equipped with the latest techniques that help to provide the best glaucoma treatment. The treatment of glaucoma is as follows:

Eye Drops

The initial treatment of glaucoma starts with the prescribed eye drops. These eye drops either decrease the eye pressure by improving eye drainage or reduce the amount of fluid the eye makes. Depending on how much pressure is required to decrease, one or more eye drops can be suggested by the specialist.

The eyedrops can cause side effects as some amount accumulates in the bloodstream. To reduce the side effects, close your eyes for 1-2 minutes after the eye drops. Keep a difference of around 5-10 minutes between multiple eye drops.

Tablets (Oral Medications)

The tablets help to reduce the IOP and prevent the progression of the disease. Some people have developed side effects of the tablets in the form of itching in the toes and fingers, irregular bowel movement, or the development of kidney stones.

Surgeries for Glaucoma Treatment

When the eye drops are not capable of reducing the eye pressure operative surgery and LASIK treatment are the final option to lower the eye pressure.

LASIK Treatment

The laser is used to treat both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma. In the case of the open-angle, the drainage area is enlarged so that the fluid can easily pass out of the eye and control the eye pressure. Whereas in closed-angle glaucoma a hole is created using the laser where the iris and the cornea meet. This hole improves the flow of the aqueous humour and controls the eye pressure.

Furthermore, in the more painful stage of glaucoma when neither the surgery nor the medication is helpful the LASER is used to close some aqueous fluid-producing areas in the eye to lower the eye pressure.

Operative Surgery

In the surgical procedure, the eye surgeon makes another drain channel in the white part of the eye to drain the excessive fluid. Furthermore, sometimes a tube is used to drain out the excessive fluid in the very resistant cases.

Conclusion

Timely treatment of glaucoma is highly recommended. Once the disease is diagnosed proper treatment must be given to reduce the progression. A person having glaucoma should regularly visit the eye specialist to check its progression. MM Joshi Eye Institute Hubli is one of the best eye care centres for glaucoma treatment equipped with the latest techniques and an experienced team for effective treatment.