Understanding Glaucoma
Imagine the eye like a camera: it captures light and processes images for your brain, helping you see the world. Just as a camera needs a clean lens and proper focus, the eye has intricate structures that keep it working properly.
One key part of this system is eye pressure. When eye pressure increases too much, it can harm a sensitive area at the back of the eye called the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual information to the brain. This damage is what we call glaucoma.
What Exactly Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma isn’t just one disease; it’s actually a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and potentially blindness if left untreated. It’s often called the silent thief of sight because it usually doesn’t show symptoms until the damage is quite advanced. In a study by AIIMS New Delhi, they found that 1 in every 8 adults in India, either has glaucoma or has a risk factor for the disease.
How Glaucoma Works: Pressure and the Optic Nerve
Inside our eyes, there’s a clear fluid that flows in and out, keeping the eye nourished and maintaining a healthy shape. This fluid, called aqueous humour, drains through a small, spongy network within the eye. In glaucoma, this drainage system can become blocked or work inefficiently, causing fluid to build up, which increases intraocular pressure (IOP) — pressure within the eye.
Imagine inflating a balloon. If the pressure builds too high, it could weaken the balloon’s surface. Similarly, in glaucoma, high eye pressure over time can damage the optic nerve fibers, gradually reducing your field of vision.
Different Types of Glaucoma
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): This is the most common type. In POAG, the drainage angle (where the fluid exits the eye) remains open, but the trabecular meshwork (the drainage network) gradually becomes less effective. Vision loss in POAG is very slow and subtle, which is why it often goes undetected until significant damage has occurred.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Here, the drainage angle becomes physically blocked by the iris, the coloured part of your eye. This can happen suddenly (acute angle-closure glaucoma) and is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms are usually very noticeable — intense pain, nausea, and blurred vision. Chronic angle-closure glaucoma can occur more gradually as the angle narrows over time, often with no symptoms.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma (NTG): Interestingly, some people experience optic nerve damage despite having normal eye pressure. Researchers believe other factors like blood flow to the optic nerve may be involved. NTG is often hereditary and may require special attention during treatment.
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