Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a condition that can lead to vision loss or blindness. It occurs when the nerve connecting the eye (The nerve in the back of your eyes is known as the optic nerve) to the brain is damaged, most probably due to extreme pressure on the eyes or you can say abnormally high pressure in your eye. The symptoms of this condition are unnoticeable and very slow, that’s why many people don’t even know that they are having glaucoma. People of the age of 60 are at a higher risk of getting glaucoma, it is not that glaucoma is targeting people who are 60 or plus, it can occur at any age but it is more common in older adults. To avoid this condition it’s important to have regular eye checkups and exams so that if someone is having initial symptoms of glaucoma then it could be treated at its early stage, otherwise, the effects of glaucoma are so steady that a person couldn’t notice the change until the condition is at an advanced stage.  

Types -:

1. Open angle – Open-angle is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the tiny deposits build up in the eyes’ drainage canals and slowly start clogging them. Initially, a person doesn’t feel any symptoms and the canals also appear to be open and functioning normally, but after some period of time(a month or a year) the deposits cause fluid to build up and put pressure on the optic nerve.

2.  Closed angle – It is also known as narrow-angle glaucoma, this type of glaucoma is very rare and often comes on suddenly(acutely). It usually occurs when the angle between the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the cornea(protective outer layer), as a result, the drainage canals become blocked and it prevents aqueous fluid from leaving the eye, which causes eye pressure. 

3. Normal tension – It is also known as low tension glaucoma, this type is more common in Asians and Asian American countries. Out of 3 people, 1 person has optic nerve damage, even when the eye pressure is normal or not very high. 

4.  Congenital – Some newborn babies are born with drainage canals that don’t form properly in the womb. It is usually diagnosed within the first year of life. This condition is also known as infantile, pediatric glaucoma.

Causes -:

1.  Dilating eye drops – It means making the pupil of the eye bigger. Dilating eye drops may raise the pressure by closing off the drainage angle of the eye.

2.  Restricted drainage – If the eye drainage angle is blocked then the fluid can’t drain out of the eye rapidly, which elevates the internal pressure of the eyes.

3.  Medications – Medications like Corticosteroids can cause glaucoma, steroids can cause changes in the flowing of aqueous fluid which results in increased eye pressure.

4.  High Blood pressure – Blood pressure can also be considered as the cause of glaucoma as high blood pressure increases eye pressure too.

Symptoms -:

1.  Severe eye pain –  A person may get extreme pain in the eyes as a symptom of glaucoma.

2. Redness in eyes –  A person may have to face the eye redness in glaucoma because sometimes fluid builds up in the front part of the eyes.

3.  Sudden blurred vision – When the drainage angle of the eye is blocked with tiny deposits, by which people experience blurred vision or vision disturbance.

Preventions -:

1.  Eat healthily – Eating healthy can be very effective to prevent glaucoma as maintaining a proper diet is beneficial for your eyes as well as your overall health.

2.  Regular Exercise – Do regular exercise as exercise reduces the eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma. 

3.  Avoid caffeine – Consuming a high amount of caffeine can increase eye pressure.

4. Eye protectors – Wear eye protectors while playing sports or working to avoid eye injuries.