Glaucoma Services

Glaucoma Services

Glaucoma Services

Early Detection is Your Best Defense Against the "Silent Thief of Sight."

Glaucoma (Kala Motia) is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure in your eye. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Our goal is to detect it early and manage Intraocular Pressure (IOP) to preserve your remaining vision for life.

Overview

This is the most common form of glaucoma. It happens gradually when the eye’s drainage canals (trabecular meshwork) become clogged over time. The pressure builds up slowly, damaging the optic nerve painlessly. Because it progresses so slowly, many patients do not realize they have it until significant vision is lost.

Who is at Risk?
  • Age: Individuals over 40 (risk increases with age).
  • Family History: Having a parent or sibling with glaucoma increases risk significantly.
  • Medical Conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease.
  • Myopia: High nearsightedness.
  • No Early Symptoms: There is no pain or noticeable vision change initially.
  • Peripheral Loss: Gradual, patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) vision.
  • Tunnel Vision: In advanced stages, you may feel like you are looking through a tube.
  • Medicated Eye Drops: The first line of defense to either lower fluid production or increase drainage.
  • SLT Laser (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty): A gentle laser treatment to stimulate the drainage meshwork and lower pressure.
  • MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery): Tiny stents (like iStent) implanted during cataract surgery to improve drainage.

Overview

This occurs when the iris (colored part of the eye) bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. This leads to a sudden, dangerous spike in eye pressure. This is a medical emergency.

Who is at Risk?
  • Anatomy: People with “crowded” eyes or Hyperopia (farsightedness).
  • Gender: More common in women.
  • Age: Risk increases as the lens grows larger with age.
  • Ethnicity: Higher prevalence in Asian populations.
  • Severe Eye Pain: Sudden, intense throbbing pain.
  • Headache & Nausea: Often accompanied by vomiting.
  • Rainbow Halos: Seeing colored rings around lights.
  • Blurred Vision: Sudden drop in visual clarity.
  • YAG Laser Iridotomy (PI): A small hole is created in the iris using a laser to equalize pressure and allow fluid to drain.
  • Emergency Medication: IV or oral medications to lower pressure rapidly.
  • Lens Extraction: Removing the natural lens (Cataract surgery) to create more space in the eye.

Overview

A rare condition where infants are born with a defect in the drainage angle of the eye. Unlike adult glaucoma, this is often visible due to physical changes in the eye’s appearance.

Who is at Risk?
  • Genetics: Inherited genetic mutations (though often sporadic).
  • Consanguinity: Parents who are close blood relatives.
  • Buphthalmos (Ox Eye): Unusually large or bulging eyes.
  • Cloudy Cornea: The front of the eye looks gray or hazy.
  • Photophobia: Extreme sensitivity to light.
  • Excessive Tearing: Watery eyes without crying.
  • Surgery is Mandatory: Medications are rarely enough.
  • Goniotomy / Trabeculotomy: Microsurgeries to manually open the drainage canals.
  • Valve Implants: Installing a tube shunt (like an Ahmed Valve) to drain fluid out of the eye.

Overview

Glaucoma cannot be managed without precise measurements. We use:

  • Perimetry (Visual Field Test): Maps your complete field of vision to detect hidden blind spots.
  • OCT (Optic Nerve Scan): Measures the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer to detect damage before vision loss occurs.
  • Applanation Tonometry: The gold standard for measuring eye pressure.
  • Gonioscopy: A special lens exam to inspect the drainage angle.

Patient FAQs

Can you cure Glaucoma?

No, Glaucoma cannot be cured, and vision lost cannot be restored. However, with strict treatment compliance, we can stop further damage and preserve your remaining vision for life.

Yes, Glaucoma affects side vision first. You can have perfect central vision while slowly going blind from the edges. This is why screening is vital.

A: Usually yes, Glaucoma is a lifelong chronic condition like diabetes or blood pressure. Stopping drops can lead to silent vision loss.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs. A detached retina or diabetic bleed requires immediate attention to save your sight.

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