Glaucoma

1. What is glaucoma?
Ans- Glaucoma is a disease whereby there is raise in IOP which there is raise in IOP which causes damage to optic nerve and affects our field of vision. The vision loss is permanent and cannot be reversed.

2. Why does it occur?
Ans- The raise in IOP can be due to variety in IOP can be due to variety of reasons i.e. hereditary 2% hypertension, diabetes, high power minus glasses., injury to eye.

3. Does watching excess T.V./strain streets cause it?
Ans- No.

4. What are the symptoms? Till now, I did not have any symptoms. So how do I come to know that I have glaucoma?
Ans- Glaucoma is largely asymptomatic the patient realizes he has some problem after considerable field loss has already occurred. Very few may have headache or frequent change of glasses. Hence It is important to consult your eye doctor and have a complete eye examination esp. above 40 yrs of eye or having family history of glaucoma.

5) What can I do to present It.?
Ans- Nothing can be done to present it, but early detection is possible if regular early eye detection is possible if regular eye check-up is done.

6) How can it be cured?
Ans- It cannot be cured completely but IOP can be kept in check by regular are of medicines. And the nerve damage can be controlled to avoid further damage.

7) How long do I have to use these medicines?
Ans- some people might have to use medications for many years or even lifelong.

8) Is there any other alternative?
Ans-there are surgical options but eye drops may be required in some people.

9) Does using drops or surgery help to regain the lost vision?
Ans- No, because optic nerve once damaged does not recovered back.

10) How is it that people after lens implantation recover their lost sight? Then does lens implantation help?
Ans- Lens implantation is done after cataract removal cataract is very different from glaucoma where you can gain back the lost vision after removing cataract but in glaucoma you cannot.

11) Are there any side-effects on such long term use of drugs?
Ans- No, but, you should highlight any systemic diseases you suffer like DM, HTN, asthma, any drug allergy so that the doctor can prescribe accordingly.

12) How frequently should I meet my eye doctor?
Ans-After initial IOP measurements visual field testing and starting of medications, at last 3-6 months or as doctor advises.