DOC TALK
Silent thief of sight
DR KEIKI MEHTA
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Do not let glaucoma limit your life. With some smart planning, you can lead a regular life.
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Photo: K.R. Deepak
In glaucoma, vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. There is no cure for glaucoma — yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. Early detection is vital to stopping the disease’s progress.
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form. It happens when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time. The inner eye pressure (also called intraocular pressure or IOP) rises because the correct amount of fluid can’t drain out of the eye.
Most people have no symptoms or early warning signs. If open angle glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause a gradual loss of vision. This type develops slowly and sometimes without noticeable sight loss for many years. It usually responds well to medication, especially if caught early and treated.
Angle Closure Glaucoma is also known as acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. It is much rarer and is very different from open angle glaucoma in that the eye pressure usually rises very quickly.
This happens when the drainage canals get blocked or covered over, like a sink with something covering the drain. Symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include headaches, eye pain, nausea, rainbows around lights at night, and very blurred vision.
Daily Life
• Try to schedule time for taking medication around daily routines such as waking, mealtimes, and bedtime. In this way, your medication will become a natural part of your day.
• Be sure to share your feelings. Especially in the beginning, it can be helpful to talk about your fears. Confide in your spouse, a relative, or a close friend.
• You may also want to talk with other people who have glaucoma. Sharing ideas and feelings about living with a chronic health condition can be useful and comforting.
• Don’t let glaucoma limit your life. You can continue with what you were doing before glaucoma was diagnosed. You can make new plans and start new ventures.
• Some daily activities such as driving or playing certain sports may become more challenging. Loss of contrast sensitivity, problems with glare, and light sensitivity are some of the possible effects of glaucoma that may interfere with your activities.
• If you have trouble seeing at night, consider not driving at night. Stay safe by adjusting your schedule so that you travel during the day.
• Sunglasses or tinted lenses can help with glare and contrast. Yellow, amber, and brown are the best tints to block out glare from fluorescent lights. On a bright day, try using brown lenses. For overcast days or at night, try using the lighter tints of yellow and amber.
The writer is a leading Opthalmic surgeon and a Padma Shree awardee based in Mumbai.
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