In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Karamjit Singh, Professor and Head of the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology at Government Medical College, sheds light on the rising prevalence of glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, often called...
In an interview with
The Tribune, Dr Karamjit Singh, Professor and Head of the Regional Institute of
Ophthalmology at Government Medical College, sheds light on the rising
prevalence of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of
irreversible blindness, often called “the sneak thief of sight” because it
progresses without symptoms, and once vision is lost, it is permanent. As much
as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing. Globally, over 80
million people have glaucoma, and half of them are unaware of it.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 4.5 million people are blind
due to glaucoma. In India, approximately 12 million people suffer from
glaucoma, and 1.5 million are blind due to it, making it the third most common
cause of blindness.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases
that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms
primarily affect middle-aged and elderly individuals, glaucoma can occur at any
age. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which functions like
an electric cable with over a million wires, responsible for transmitting
images from the eye to the brain. Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most
common factor responsible for this damage. There are two main types of glaucoma:
primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and angle-closure glaucoma, both marked by
increased IOP. In cases where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal IOP, it
is referred to as normal tension glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma happens when
another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in
optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Some signs of glaucoma include unexplained
headaches or eyeaches, frequent changes in glasses prescriptions, halos around
lights, eye pain or redness, and loss of peripheral vision.
The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is through
regular eye exams. Early detection is crucial, as treatment can begin
immediately to slow or prevent further vision loss. Medications such as
anti-glaucoma drugs or surgery can help manage the condition.
World Glaucoma Week is celebrated annually from March 9-15 to raise awareness about this silent disease. This year, the theme “Uniting for a Glaucoma-free World” aims to educate people about glaucoma and the importance of early detection and treatment.
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