Treatment of Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a highly misunderstood disease, and unfortunately, many people remain unaware of their condition until it has reached an advanced stage. While many people go for regular body exams, they often miss out on regular eye exams.
Without timely diagnosis, glaucoma can accelerate permanent vision loss or even lead to blindness. Although treatments can slow further vision loss, they cannot restore vision. However, it is possible to save the eyes from permanent blindness with proper medication and treatment from ophthalmologists.
Dr Harsh Kumar, Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma Treatment, Center for Sight said, “As an Ophthalmologist, I strongly encourage people to make their eye health a priority with regular eye exams In my practice, I see that one in eight people over the age of 40 either have glaucoma or are suspected of glaucoma. All adults should have a comprehensive eye exam for glaucoma every 2 years. However, People above 40 years of age or with a family history of the disease should increase the frequency to every 1 to 2 years. If glaucoma is left untreated or diagnosed late one can suffer from irreversible vision damage hence regular checkups is required.
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It’s important to note that many people often confuse cataracts with glaucoma, which shares some risk factors and similar symptoms. However, they have different causes, treatments, and outcomes. Glaucoma is caused by a build-up of fluid inside your eyes while cataracts are caused by the accumulation of broken down proteins in your eyes. Therefore, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from an ophthalmologist to get the right treatment and prevent further complications.
Let’s take a look at the five most common myths related to glaucoma:
Myth 1- Glaucoma affects the elderly
While it is true that people over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing open-angle glaucoma than people in their 40s, other types of glaucoma can affect people as young as infants. Irregular ocular development, drainage obstruction, and other medical conditions can lead to the development of glaucoma. Therefore, people of all ages should have regular eye exams to catch glaucoma early.
Myth 2- There is no cure for glaucoma
It is often thought that if there are no symptoms, there is no reason to treat glaucoma. While glaucoma doesn’t have a cure, it can be treated with medications, including eye drops and oral treatments. Continuous monitoring and early screening, and appropriate medication by ophthalmologists are essential to prevent blindness.
Myth 3- Too much screen time
While prolonged screen time can cause eye strain and discomfort, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it increases the risk of developing glaucoma. Some of the common symptoms of glaucoma include severe eye pain, blurred and sudden vision disturbances, and nausea.
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Myth 4- Glaucoma can be treated with home remedies
Many of us often think that glaucoma can be prevented with natural or home remedies. While some natural remedies may be beneficial for other health problems, there is no scientific evidence that they can cure glaucoma. Proper treatment of glaucoma requires medication and monitoring by an ophthalmologist.
Myth 5- People with good vision don’t get glaucoma
Glaucoma is often called the ‘silent thief of the eye’ because people may not notice symptoms until the disease reaches moderate or advanced stages. Even people with perfect vision can develop glaucoma, so everyone needs regular eye exams for early diagnosis and treatment in the early stages.
Ultimately, dispelling these common myths may help people better understand glaucoma and the importance of regular eye exams. Let us take a pledge to take better care of our eyes and protect them from the silent thief of sight.