The eyes are one of the most important sensory organs of our body that enables us to see the beautiful world. With the help of eyesight, we tend to perceive impressions which enables us to communicate and also protects us from any type of danger. One of the most severe disorders that can impact our eyes and lead to irreversible blindness is glaucoma. If you experience the symptoms of glaucoma or have recently acquired the disease then it is essential to contact a specialist glaucoma eye doctor like Dr. Swarup Kr. Roy for regular examination.
In most cases, glaucoma imposes no prominent symptoms and this is why it is highly essential to seek the guidance of an eye specialist regularly to ensure eye health and progression of glaucoma. Permanent blindness and vision loss associated with glaucoma can only be prevented with long-term diagnosis and treatment, which can save your sight while slowing down vision loss.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of serious eye disorders that can damage the optic nerve of your eyes due to excessive fluid build-up. In most cases of glaucoma, the fluid build-up is seen in the front of the eyes which further puts pressure and damages the optic nerve. Eye or intraocular pressure is considered the main cause behind the development of this disorder. In a few cases, people can experience normal eye pressure but can also develop glaucoma in later life.
Some of The Common Types of Glaucoma Are-
- Congenital Glaucoma- This type of glaucoma mostly develops during childhood, and is caused due to the underdevelopment of drainage canals before birth. The glaucoma symptoms in the baby can be noticeable from birth which may progress towards permanent blindness.
- Closed-Angle Glaucoma- This type of narrow-angle glaucoma is acute but rare, and mainly develops due to the narrowing of the angle between the cornea and iris. In this condition, your eye pressure increases due to blockage in the eye canals. You must get immediate help from the best glaucoma specialist in Siliguri near you to minimize the risk of complications associated with it.
- Open-Angle Glaucoma- One of the most common types of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma due to the resistance build-up in the drainage canals of the eyes. If this disease is left unnoticed then it can lead to serious damage in the optic nerve and cause permanent blindness.
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma- This type of glaucoma is also called low-tension or normal-pressure glaucoma. In this condition, patients don’t suffer from high eye pressure which tends to be the main indication of other types of glaucoma. This makes it extremely difficult for the doctor to detect the key cause behind the development of this type of glaucoma.
Probable Symptoms of Glaucoma Progression
The main issue with glaucoma is that it doesn’t impose any significant symptoms. The vision issues associated with glaucoma may develop at an advanced stage and before that, there can be no warning signs to detect the eye disorder. This is why people often fail to identify this disorder at the right time to get proper diagnosis and treatment.
To eliminate this issue, people at high risk of developing this disorder need to schedule regular eye check-ups. In the routine examination, the doctor will perform certain eye screening tests and check eye pressure to determine the chances of developing this disorder. This method will help you to get early diagnosis and treatment for glaucoma and reduce the risk of irreversible eye damage as well as vision loss.
Explore The Common Symptoms of Glaucoma That One Can Experience With Any Type of Glaucoma-
- Rainbow-colored halos while looking at light
- High eye pressure
- Increased eye pain
- Redness in the eyes
- Blind spots
- Narrowed, low, or blurred vision
- Constant headaches
- Nausea
Preventive Measures To Slow Down Glaucoma Progression
It is not always possible to prevent glaucoma but you may adopt certain preventive measures to slow down the damaged optic nerve, which will eventually lead you towards long-term vision health.
1. Don’t Skip Eye Drop Doses- Once you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, you should never skip the doses of prescribed eye drops. The eye drops are mainly prescribed by the doctor to reduce the eye pressure, which is the main cause of glaucoma. In order to maintain your vision with glaucoma, you must always follow the steps recommended by the doctor to regulate eye fluid and maintain eye pressure.
2. Be Clear About The Family History of Glaucoma- The risks of developing glaucoma if you have a family history of such disorder. This is why you must always communicate with the doctor about the family history so that they can schedule the routine examinations accordingly.
3. Don’t Stop Reading- People with glaucoma may have low vision which can make it extremely challenging to read. However, to improve your vision health you must always continue reading. You can take the assistance of audiobooks or magnifying glasses to read books while improving your eyesight.
4. Exercise Regularly- Another preventive measure that you must adopt to slow down the progression of glaucoma is to exercise regularly. This method will help you to maintain proper weight since obesity is associated with decreased blood flow and improved eye pressure which can cause glaucoma. However, you must always avoid head-down positions or other exercises that can increase your eye pressure.
5. Indulge in a Proper Diet- Our Siliguri based Glaucoma eye doctor also always recommends indulging in a proper diet to maintain vision health. To avoid high blood pressure, you can eat a diet full of protein, fiber, vegetables, potassium, and fresh fruits. It is also recommended to avoid food with high sodium and processed food.
6. Maintain Proper Sleeping Position- If you’re suffering from glaucoma then you must consider sleeping in a proper position. This will help you to decrease the chances of obstructive sleep apnea, which is considered a probable cause of glaucoma. You can keep a pillow in the arm and avoid sleeping by putting pressure on the eyes to maintain vision health.
7. Use Protection From Sunlight- Your retina can be hugely damaged by the UV rays and this is why you must always protect your eyes from long-term exposure to sunlight. You can use high-polarized specs and wear a hat to minimize UV exposure and reduce the risks of glaucoma associated with the retina and optimal nerve damage.
8. Check Blood Pressure Regularly- Low as well as high blood pressure is associated with high chances of glaucoma and this is why you must always check your blood pressure regularly. If you are suffering from high blood pressure then you must avoid taking the medications for it during the night since it can suddenly drop your pressure which can increase the risks of glaucoma.
9. Avoid Smoking- It is also highly recommended that you stop smoking to reduce the progression of glaucoma. This is because smoking is associated with high intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve and causes glaucoma. Smoking cessation may also help you to make the long-term treatment successful with improved vision health.
Role Of Regular Eye Check-Ups For Glaucoma Prevention
Apart from the above-mentioned preventive measures for glaucoma progression, scheduling regular eye check-ups is the most important step that can help you maintain long-term vision health and reduce the risk of permanent loss of eyesight. This step is essential because, in most cases of glaucoma, patients experience no significant symptoms which makes it difficult to offer proper treatment at the right time.
- Early Detection- To prevent irreversible vision loss, it is essential to detect glaucoma at an early stage. The recommended time frame of regular eye examination for people above 40 years is every 1-2 years. However, people with high risk are advised to undergo more frequent check-ups, which can be on a quarterly or annual basis. Glaucoma eye doctor like Dr. Swarup Kr. Roy always mentions that early intervention and treatment are the key to slowing down the progression of this disorder.
- Eye Examination Tests- Along with early detection, regular eye check-ups are also essential to undergo important eye examination screening tests that can check the damage caused by glaucoma. Some of the effective tests done during the check-up to test your vision field, eye pressure, and optic nerve functioning are perimetry, tonometry, pachymetry, gonioscopy, and ophthalmoscopy. These tests also play a major role in checking the vision loss areas and functioning of the drainage system of your eyes.
- Continuous Monitoring- Glaucoma can progress suddenly leading to significant damage and if the treatment is not adjusted at the right time then the vision health cannot be maintained. This also makes it essential to schedule regular check-ups where it can detect early whether the condition is worsening or not. If required the doctor may adjust your treatment plan and may recommend laser treatment or surgery to prevent permanent blindness.
You must also remember the fact that certain eye injuries while playing sports or using powerful tools can also lead to the development of glaucoma. In such cases, you must contact an experienced glaucoma eye doctor like Dr. Swarup Kr Roy who can prescribe you the best medications to reduce the chances of serious complications.
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