Glaucoma

The term GLAUCOMA refers to a condition in which pressure inside the eye is raised along with functional or structural damage to the eye. Functional damage occurs in the form of loss of vision or visual fields, while structural damage means loss of Retinal Nerve Fibres leading to cupping of Optic Disc in the head of Optic Nerve.

Two common types of Glaucomas are Open Angle Glaucoma and Closed Angle Glaucoma. To distinguish between these two, a simple procedure called GONIOSCOPY is performed to determine the state of angle of filtration through which the intraocular fluid exits from eye.

CLOSED ANGLE GLAUCOMA is usually associated with episodes of headaches, haloes and blurring of vision. In acute stage it leads to sudden severe elevation of I.O.P with excruciating pain in the eye and loss of vision. This is an emergency requiring prompt reduction of I.O.P and PERIPHERAL IRIDECTOMY, a procedure in which a tiny hole is created in peripheral iris with YAG LASER.

OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA in contrast is a symptomless disease in which the peripheral field of vision is slowly, silently but progressively lost until only a small central area of vision is left behind. Finally this too will disappear leading to permanent blindness.

The management of this disease requires strict control of I.O.P with drugs and regular examination of visual fields with PERIMETRY. Early diagnosis can be made with OCT evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fibres and treatment instituted in time.