Over 80 per cent of glaucoma cases in India go undetected: Experts

A whopping 80 per cent cases of glaucoma the third most common cause of blindness goes undetected in India said experts here on WednesdayGlaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerveGlaucoma is also known as the sneak thief of sigh because there are no early symptoms It is also the leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting more than 80 million people worldwideGlaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve leading to progressive vision loss It typically presents with no symptoms in its early stages making regular eye examinations crucial for early detection Ikeda Lal Senior Cornea Cataract and Refractory Surgery Specialist at Delhi Eye Centre and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital New Delhi told IANSLal explained that as the condition progresses one may experience blurred vision difficulty adjusting to low light reduced peripheral side vision and seeing halos around lights Few patients may even experience eye pain and headacheIf you notice any of these symptoms its important to see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam the doctor saidApproximately 112 million people aged 40 years and older have glaucoma in India but only 20 per cent of them know they have it It is because the disease initially has no symptomsAlthough glaucoma primarily affects the middleaged and the elderly it can affect people of all ages according to expertsVision loss in glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve which is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain Vision loss or impairment may be associated with reduced quality of life and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living including loss of independence restricted mobility depression and anxiety Rohit Saxena R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences AIIMS New Delhi told IANSHe further added that glaucoma becomes more common with advancing age Family history and genetics play a role with individuals having relatives affected by glaucoma being at a higher riskOther factors contributing to glaucoma include elevated eye pressure certain medical conditions like diabetes hypertension and prolonged use of steroids especially without regular monitoringWhile there is no absolute cure for glaucoma early detection and treatment is of great importance and this helps in preventing further vision lossTreatment options may include eye drops to lower intraocular pressure oral medications laser therapy or in severe cases surgery With early detection and adherence to treatment sight can be saved from glaucoma and these patients can have a very good vision for their entire life Therefore there is no need to be scared of this disease Lal notedAdults older than 40 years especially those with a family history of glaucoma must get a comprehensive eye exam every year including an examination of the retina and the optic nerve If and when it is identified people will need longterm monitoring and management the doctors saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever