GLAUCOMA THE THIEF OF SIGHT

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by a collection of symptoms in the form of increased pressure in the eyeball accompanied by damage to the optic nerve and narrowing of the field of view of the eye. Glaucoma is also called the thief of sight because glaucoma can cause permanent blindness.

Types of Glaucoma:

Chronic Glaucoma ( Chronic )

namely a group of eyes that is generally characterized by damage to the optic nerve and loss of field of view that is progressive in nature and associated with various risk factors, especially high intracular pressure (IOP). Signs and symptoms:

• Decreased vision
• Frequent headaches
• Stiffness in the eyeballs

Acute (Sudden) Glaucoma

Glaucoma caused by sudden high intraocular pressure in the eye. Acute glaucoma can be primary and secondary. Primary acute glaucoma arises by itself in people who have congenital glaucoma. Secondary acute glaucoma occurs as a complication of other eye disease or systemic. Can be found in a history of routine use of steroid drugs or a history of trauma to the eye, cataracts, high myopia, diabetes, etc.

Signs and symptoms:

• Painful red eyes without discharge
• Cornea slightly cloudy
• Pain or soreness in the eye that can radiate to the head
• Nausea and vomiting when the pressure on the eyeball is very high
• Sudden loss of vision, usually in one eye

Glaucoma Risk Factors

• Family or hereditary history of glaucoma
• Degenerative diseases such as Diabetes and Hypertension and Age > 40 years
• High eye pressure
• Accident or history of previous eye surgery such as cataract surgery
• Migraines or narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain (poor circulation)
• Myopia 

Glaucoma Prevention

Most of the risk factors for glaucoma such as age, heredity, and ethnicity cannot be prevented, because they are congenital. However, if there is a family history of glaucoma, it can be prevented by having your eyes checked and routinely monitored by a doctor for early detection of glaucoma, so that you can get the right therapy and care.

Here are steps that can be taken to detect glaucoma early.

• Take care of eye health from an early age by consuming foods that contain vitamin A and routine eye health checks to the doctor.
• Use eye drops prescribed by your doctor regularly. Glaucoma eye drops can significantly reduce the risk of high eye pressure developing into glaucoma.
• Serious eye injuries can cause glaucoma. So, wear eye protection when exercising or when working with power tools.

In addition to early detection, lifestyle can also be an effort to prevent developing glaucoma. Do a healthy lifestyle such as; eat healthy and nutritious food, exercise regularly, reduce caffeine intake, avoid smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, drink water with breaks and regularly, don't drink a lot in close proximity, reduce salt intake to avoid fluid retention and consult a doctor if you want to do strenuous activities.

Glaucoma Medicine

Eye damage caused by glaucoma cannot be treated or repaired. However, treatment must still be carried out to reduce intraocular pressure in the eye and prevent further damage to the eye. In general, glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, medications taken, laser therapy, and surgery.