WORLD GLAUCOMA DAY
March 12, 2025, is World Glaucoma Day, highlighting this most common cause of irreversible blindness. Glaucoma, or the “silent thief of sight,” is a condition of the eye that can develop silently until a great deal of vision has been lost.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness and is characterized by optic nerve damage. The optic nerve is important in the way that it carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage can usually occur with increased eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP). But it can also occur with normal levels of IOP, which also makes it hard to diagnose and treat.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
Glaucoma is also complex in the sense that it is not always noticed until later when the damage is more severe. Glaucoma begins by quietly destroying peripheral vision, usually preserving central vision until later. This quiet progression makes diagnosis and treatment more difficult, and that is why frequent eye check-ups are particularly important, especially for those who are at greater risk.If diagnosed at correct stage the remaining vision can be preserved.
Early Warnings to Look Out For
It is difficult to identify early glaucoma since there are no symptoms at this stage. Yet, there are some symptoms that can indicate the disease is beginning to develop, such as:
- Peripheral vision loss.
- Eye pain and headache.
- Halos of light.
- Double vision.
- Red eyes.
- Periodic alterations in reading spectacles.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Glaucoma can occur in anybody, but there are some risk factors. They include age over 40 years, history of glaucoma in the family, high eye pressure, history of eye trauma or use of steroids in any form , and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Thorough eye checkup at regular intervals is important in early detection, especially in those with a greater risk.
Treatment and Care
Although glaucoma cannot be cured, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow the disease, precluding much loss of vision. Treatment consists of prescription of eye drops, oral therapy, laser therapy, or surgery to reduce intraocular pressure, depending on the extent and character of the disease. World Glaucoma Week (March 9- 15 , 2025 ) aims to raise awareness and the need to get one’s eyes checked regularly. Being aware of glaucoma and the onset of its symptoms, one can take precautions to protect one’s vision and not allow the silent thief of sight to take away one’s valuable sense of vision.
(The Author is Senior Glaucoma Specialist, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals)
