You may know someone who wears sunglasses even indoors. Don’t be quick to judge -- it’s likely they are suffering from a fairly common eye condition called Glaucoma. This disease affects the optic nerve, which sends information from the eyes to the brain. When damage to the optic nerve sets in, it causes extra sensitivity to light and a gradual loss of sight.
How do you know if you have Glaucoma?
Many doctors believe Glaucoma is a hereditary condition and can cause complete blindness if left untreated. If someone in your family is suffering from it, you may be at a higher risk of acquiring it. What’s more, Glaucoma can also be triggered by conditions such as diabetes, thyroid, hypertension, anxiety, depression, asthma, and medications related to sleep disorders.
Types of Glaucoma
- Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (Also called Chronic Glaucoma)
This is the most common type of Glaucoma. Here, the eye maintains a normal appearance but there is an imbalance in production and drainage of aqueous humor (clear fluid that fills the eye). POAG sets in without any warning. - Acute or Angle Closure Glaucoma
This is a less common form of Glaucoma. It is characterized by a sudden increase of pressure within the eye. Usual symptoms include sudden eye pain, red eye, and reduced vision. - Congenital Glaucoma
Prevalent only among children between the ages of 0 and 3. It is recognized by red and bloodshot eyes. Infants with this disease have poor vision and blink a lot more than usual.
Telltale signs of Glaucoma
Looking for signs to check if you have Glaucoma? The bad news is there aren’t many, because your cornea gradually swells up without pain. If you encounter redness in your eyes or any vision loss, you may need to get checked for Glaucoma.
Treatment for Glaucoma
Unfortunately, Glaucoma causes irreversible damage to your optic nerve and is incurable. However, you can minimize vision loss with surgery and medication. But as they say, prevention is always better than cure, so keep an eye out for glaucoma.