As we all know that due to situations widespread by the COVID-19 pandemic, evey one is busy in curving out the different ways to tackle with this pandemic. There is no need to be panic because it's a known fact that every novel disease since it's emerging stage is more effective. Gradually it's impact on human population and human needs as well came to an equilibrium. Besides this pandemic there are various kinds of known deadly diseases, which is a matter of great concern unfortunately we have forgotten about their efforts especially these days. Glaucoma, a vision disease is one of them.
Glucoma is a condition that damages our eye’s optic nerve. optic nerve takes visual information gathered from our eye and transmits it using a series of electrical impulses to the parts of our brain that act as vision centers, allowing us to make sense of what we are seeing. Glaucoma usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of our eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in our eye, damaging the optic nerve. It is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because of the fact that it slowly damages the eyes and can cause irreparable harm before there is any vision loss.generally happens in individuals above 40 years old because of impairment in the optic nerves. It is the second most common cause of blindness next to cataract and the main reason for eye disability in the western countries.
If this eye disorder is not taken seriously at the early stages it will be a greatest concern for future. Damage to the optic nerve may begin within a few hours and, if not treated within 6 to 12 hours of disorder, it may bring severe permanent loss of vision or blindness and even a permanently enlarged pupil or dilated pupil.
However treatment can be an option but permanent recovery from this disorder is not possible. Especially people belonging to chanderbhaga region which is surrounded by hills all around its boundaries where people think that eye disease or blur vision is an ordinary disorder or sometimes they neglect it. However improper treatment may be also because of lack of facilities, proper eye hospitals in the region or poverty.
SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA;
The vision disorder Glaucoma is bound to be of following symptoms:-
1) Patient experiences severe headache and fever.
Especially headache is observed on that side of head where the eye is affected.
2) Redness of eyes, inflammation of eye.
3) Severe throbbing eye pain.
4) foggy vision or blur vision. Alike as in case of cataract which is also an eye disorder.
5) Dilated pupil.
6) Nausea and Vomiting, difficulties in breathing
7) Tearing, sensitivity to light, and eyelid spasms. Habitual rubbing of the eyes, squinting, or keeping the eyes closed much of the time among childrens.
CAUSES OF GLAUCOMA;
1) The back part of the eyes is filled with aqueous humor. This fluid flows out of the eyes through the mesh-like channel. If the channel gets blocked, the liquid accumulates and cause a pressure increase, which is different from normal pressure.
Ocular hypertension is the a factor of this disorder. Ocular hypertension is a condition in which the pressure inside eyes is higher than normal. However, it can also occur in case of normal intraocular pressure, but it's rare.
2) Glaucoma itself is the main cause of blindness.
3) Age, ethnicity, certain drugs or medications, untreated certain eyes diseases, and family history (ie, genetically) of blindness are some of the risk factors for the cause of glaucoma. And in case if the progeny of a family had Glaucoma affected ancestor, the risk is often high in such cases.
4) Various other kind of diseases like, Chronic eye diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, any trauma, drugs like corticosteroids, and the thickness of corneas may cause an increase in intraocular pressure concluding glaucoma blindness.
5) In most of cases it is inherited disease.
6) It is also cause due to the blocked blood vessels in the eyes.
Besides these there are many other causes of Glaucoma, however above discussed cause are the main factors of this disorder.
TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA;
The main motive of treatment is to bring down the increased intraocular pressure. This can be done by various medicines to decrease the fluid production in the eye. Doctors also try to correct the fluid drainage system in the eyes so the pressure within the eyes is reduced. There is no complete cure for glaucoma and the damage caused by it is irreversible. The only thing to do is proper treatment on proper time and regular eye checkups, so as to prevent vision loss in individuals having early stage glaucoma. If a patient already suffers from vision loss, then treatment is done to prevent or halt any further vision loss.
Eye Drops: Medicated eye drops are the initial treatment done in glaucoma. Patient should follow doctor’s instructions when using these drops; if not, then the damage to the optic nerve can increase.
Some of the commonly prescribed eye drops are
Prostaglandins such as bimatoprost and latanoprost are used to treat open-angle glaucoma. They increase the drainage of the fluid from the eye thus resulting in decreased intra-ocular pressure. Side effects include blurry vision, stinging, minor reddening of the eyes; the iris may appear dark. There may also be pigment changes in the skin of the eyelids.
Beta Blockers, such as timolol and betaxolol, help by reducing the fluid production in the eyes thus reducing the internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure). Side effects include decreased heart rate, difficulty in breathing, hypotension, fatigue and impotency. Beta blockers are contraindicated in patients having heart or lung conditions, as these medications exacerbate existing breathing problems.
Alpha-adrenergic agonists, such as apraclonidine and brimonidine, also help in reducing the production of the fluid (aqueous humor) and also increase the drainage of this fluid from the eye. Side effects include irregular heartbeat, hypertension, tiredness, itchy, red or swollen eyes, and mouth dryness.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as brinzolamide and dorzolamide, are not used that often. They work by reducing the fluid production in the eye. Side effects include sensation of pins and needles in the fingers and toes and frequent urination.
Cholinergic (Miotic) agents, such as pilocarpinean and carbachol, also increase the drainage of fluid from the eye. Side effects include small sized pupils, nearsightedness or blurry vision.
A combination of medications such as alpha adrenergic agonist and beta blocker; carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and beta blocker may also be prescribed by some doctors.
Oral medications are given if eye drops are not successful in bringing down the intraocular pressure. They are often in the form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and help in bringing down the eye pressure. Side effects include: Stomach upset, frequent urination, pins and needles sensation in toes and fingers, depression and kidney stones.
In later stages surgery is the only option.
Surgery for Glaucoma
Surgery is done if the patient does not benefit from medications or if for some reason is not able to tolerate the medications. Sometimes more than one surgery is needed to successfully bring down the eye pressure. Eye drops may be needed after the surgery also. Potential complications from surgery for glaucoma include: Inflammation, infection, bleeding, abnormally increased or decreased eye pressure and vision loss. Glaucoma surgery may also increase the risk of cataracts. However, these complications can be successfully treated.
There are various methods of Glaucoma surgery depending upon the type of glaucoma. Also there are different kinds of glucoma that I haven't discussed . It is just an overview of this fatal disorders to aware the educated people of our nation, so that thier awareness may limits upto the illiterate people.
