Do You Know About the Silent Thief of Sight, Glaucoma?

Overview

There is a clear liquid in our eye that flows in and out of the anterior chamber and nourishes nearby tissues. When this fluid drains out too slowly out of the eye it leads to fluid build-up which increases the pressure (known as intraocular pressure) inside the eye.

If this pressure is not brought down, it may lead to damaging the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, leading to complete loss of sight.

Types of Glaucoma:

There are primarily two types of glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma:

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma which occurs due to the fluid not getting drained out of the eye as a result of which eye pressure rises and damages the optic nerve.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is painless and causes no changes in vision initially.

If you’re diagnosed with early-stage primary open-angle glaucoma, you can avoid losing your vision provided you take the prescribed medication and don’t forget to go to your follow-up appointments.

Well, reminders for your medicines and doctor appointments will be taken care of by us. Our Elder Relationship Managers will ensure you follow your routine.

Closed-angle glaucoma:

This takes places when your iris is very close to the drainage angle and ends up blocking the same. An acute attack takes place when the drainage angle gets completely blocked increasing the eye pressure rapidly.

These are the two most common types of glaucoma.

Less common types of glaucoma include secondary glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma.

One important thing to remember in this case is that the loss of vision cannot be recovered. So it’s always advisable to have regular eye check-ups.

With full-body check-up under the Emoha Assure Care Plan, you can avoid such emergencies.

From 24/7 Emergency Response to daily check-in calls, monthly home visits by a doctor, support for daily hassles as well as access to exciting events and activities, we have all the needs of an elder covered.

And if you’re facing any problem with regard to your vision, consult an ophthalmologist at the earliest or call at 1800-123-445555. for a swift Emoha response.

What to do next

• Get an eye check, including eye pressure and the optic nerve, every year after 40 if you have a family history or diabetes, and at least once every one to two years after 60.
• Know your risk: family history, diabetes, high myopia, long steroid use and age.
• Use eye drops exactly as prescribed, every day, even if vision feels fine. Use a reminder; see setting up a weekly medicine box.
• Attend every follow-up, because damage can progress without symptoms.
• Make the home easier on the eyes: good light, contrast and clear paths; see low vision home safety.

Emergency signs

Sudden eye pain, a red eye, halos around lights, blurred vision, headache, nausea or vomiting can mean an acute angle-closure attack. This is an emergency: go to an eye hospital at once, because delay can cause permanent loss of sight.

Living with reduced vision

Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, but treatment can protect what remains. See glaucoma and macular degeneration at home and cataract and glaucoma home care.

When to ask a professional

An ophthalmologist diagnoses glaucoma with pressure checks and visual field tests and chooses drops, laser or surgery. Our care advisors can arrange eye check-ups and reminders.