Lotus Eye Hospital

Glaucoma - The silent thief of vision

Glaucoma is caused by a build-up of pressure inside the eyes. It is generally an inherited disease and strokes in later life. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve resulting in loss of vision. The vision loss is generally very gradual and may not be noticed early because the loss of vision progresses from outside towards the center. The loss of vision is irreversible. The sooner it is detected and controlled the better will be vision retention. Glaucoma can only be detected through a comprehensive eye examination. Periodic eye checks are vital especially if there is a family history.

How is Glaucoma treated?

Glaucoma treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser, or microsurgery. the treatment of choice varies with the type of glaucoma.
Eye drops for glaucoma. These either reduce the formation of fluid in the front of the eye or increase its outflow. Thereby reducing the pressure inside the eye Laser surgery for glaucoma.
Laser surgery for Glaucoma slightly increases the outflow of the fluid from the eye in open-angle glaucoma or eliminates fluid blockage in angle-closure glaucoma.
Microsurgery for glaucoma. In an operation called a trabeculectomy, a new channel is created to drain the fluid, thereby reducing intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma.

Glaucoma treatments

Medical management
YAG Laser iridotomy
Trabeculectomy
Trabeculectomy with Trabeculotomy for paediatric glaucoma
Valve implantation
Cyclo-cryo procedure for refractive glaucoma

Visual Acuity Testing and Refraction should be done every 1 or 2 years. Children with any of the symptoms should be screened to prevent refractive errors from interfering with their work. A comprehensive eye examination should be done by an ophthalmologist to diagnose the problem and arrive at a remedy.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests include:

Visual acuity testing
Refraction
Comprehensive eye examination

Diagnosis

Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive Visual acuity test. This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.

Tonometry:An instrument measures the pressure inside the eye. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test.

Visual field test:This test measures your side (peripheral) vision. It helps your eye care professional tell if you have lost side vision, a sign of glaucoma.

Dilated eye exam:Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems.

Pachymetry:Our eye care professional uses an ultrasonic wave instrument to measure the thickness of your cornea.

Retinal scan(OCT):Checks the change in thickness of your retina

Fundus photography:A photograph of your retina is taken for future reference to document any change in your nerve.

Diagnostic services

Visual acuity test
Tonometry
Visual field
Dilated eye examination
Pachymetry
Fundus photography

Facilities

Lotus Eye Hospital & Institute in Coimbatore, Ernakulam, Salem, Mettupalayam, and Tirupur provides world-class care to our patients. Our Glaucoma clinic is well equipped for all the diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Applanation Tonometry
4 Mirror Gonioscopy
90D optic nerve assessment
Humphrey Visual field analyzer
Optical coherence tomography
Ultrasound pachymetry
Ultrasound biometry
Anterior segment OCT
Optic nerve and Fundus photography
Contrast sensitivity TEST (F.A.C.T.)