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As we observe Glaucoma Awareness Month this January, it is essential to recognize the significance of regular eye checkups, especially for those at higher risk
Treatment for glaucoma focuses on managing eye pressure and preventing further damage, but it cannot restore lost vision
January marks Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the importance of early detection for this silent and often unnoticed disease that causes irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma, sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” or the “silent thief of sight” (Kala motia in Hindi), is an eye condition that leads to permanent blindness without warning signs. The damage occurs when increased pressure in the eyes harms the optic nerve, the critical connection between the eye and the brain. This gradual process often goes unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.
Understanding Glaucoma: The Silent Killer
Dr Priyanka Singh, Consultant & Eye Surgeon, Neytra Eye Centre, New Delhi, explains that glaucoma can be linked to several factors. “Glaucoma can be associated with smoking, caffeine, high blood pressure, or can run in families. Additionally, trauma to the eye and damage to the eye angles can increase the risk factor for glaucoma,” says Dr. Singh. Despite its various potential causes, one of the most dangerous aspects of glaucoma is the absence of symptoms in the early stages.
Dr. Singh continues, “The reason glaucoma is referred to as the ‘Silent Killer’ is because it doesn’t give any warning signs or symptoms. Blind spots gradually develop, leading to damage of peripheral vision, and in later stages, it may involve the central vision as well. The patient has no means of noticing a change in vision until it’s too late. Only a handful of people with high pressure might experience a headache or subtle blurriness of vision, often in the morning.”
However, in some cases, glaucoma can manifest in a more acute form. Dr. Singh elaborates, “Sometimes, there is an acute attack of glaucoma characterized by severe eye pain, redness of the eyes, blurred vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, and seeing rainbow or halo around lights. Such cases require prompt referral to an ophthalmologist and medical treatment.”
The Importance of Early Detection
Dr Payal Gupta, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Fortis, Greater Noida, highlights why glaucoma is often diagnosed too late. “In the early stages, glaucoma is mostly asymptomatic. By the time it is diagnosed, the damage has often already been done. In some cases, symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, eye pain with redness, and colored halos may appear, but changes in the visual field are usually perceived only after forty percent of the damage has already occurred,” explains Dr. Gupta.
Since glaucoma causes irreversible damage to the retinal and optic nerve fibers, “any treatment cannot bring back the already lost vision,” Dr. Gupta warns. However, she emphasizes that early detection can help preserve remaining vision and prevent further loss.
Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?
Dr Priyanka Singh identifies individuals who are at higher risk for developing glaucoma, advising them to take preventive measures. These include:
People aged 40 and above
Those with a family history of glaucoma
Individuals with high eye pressure
Those using certain steroid medications
People who have experienced eye injury or trauma
Individuals with hypertension, diabetes, migraines, poor blood circulation, or other health problems affecting the body
Those who are myopic (nearsighted) or hypermetropic (farsighted)
The Role of Screening and Regular Eye Checkups
Dr Gupta emphasizes the critical role of glaucoma screening, especially for those who do not yet show symptoms. “Screening is done in apparently healthy individuals with no symptoms. Glaucoma screening includes measurement of eye pressure, clinical examination of the eye and optic nerve, imaging of the nerve fiber layer, and visual field analysis. These are all non-invasive eye tests and require no blood samples or radiation exposure,” says Dr. Gupta. Regular screening helps detect glaucoma early, even in individuals who feel healthy and show no symptoms.
Dr. Priyanka Singh reinforces this message, stating, “Earlier detection improves visual outcomes. Since the damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible, medical and surgical treatments can only help in lowering eye pressure and preserving the remaining vision. Therefore, getting a routine eye checkup once a year is crucial in order to catch this disease early and begin timely treatment.”
The Path to Treatment and Prevention
Treatment for glaucoma focuses on managing eye pressure and preventing further damage, but it cannot restore lost vision. As Dr. Payal Gupta concludes, “Early detection is the key to preventing blindness due to glaucoma. Almost all treatment modalities for glaucoma aim to slow down the progression of damage, and none can reverse the visual field loss that has already occurred. Therefore, the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to halt progression and prevent further vision loss. Anyone over 40, even if they are asymptomatic, or someone with a family history of glaucoma, should undergo screening for early detection of glaucoma with an ophthalmologist.”
As we observe Glaucoma Awareness Month this January, it is essential to recognize the significance of regular eye checkups, especially for those at higher risk. Early detection and timely treatment are the best defenses against the silent thief of sight, helping preserve vision for years to come.
