Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness all over the world. However, blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment. The function of the optic nerve is to supply visual information from your eye to your brain, and only through this process is vision/seeing made possible.
More than a million tiny nerve fibers make up the optic nerve. The structure of an optic nerve can best be described as an electric cable made up of many small wires. As these nerve fibers die as a result of damages from glaucoma, one develops blind spots in their vision. These blind spots may not be noticed until most of the optic nerve fibers are dead, and when all of the fibers die, the victim becomes completely blind.
Glaucoma occurs in different types and forms. The most common is the Primary Open-angle Glaucoma (POAG). Although there are forms of glaucoma that commonly have early symptoms or signs, most forms of the disease rarely show any early symptoms.
Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma is another form of the disease that comes on very quickly and can cause blindness within days. Some early symptoms of its attack may include sudden and severe pain in the eye or forehead, redness of the eye, decreased or blurred vision, seeing rainbows or halos around light, headache, nausea, or even vomiting. Another type of glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, appears in babies at birth. Also, certain drugs and eye diseases can cause yet another form of the disease, known as secondary glaucoma.
Regardless of its type and form, any damage caused by glaucoma is PERMANENT. Mostly, this damage(s) occurs slowly and worsens with time. This is why glaucoma is often referred to as “the silent thief of sight”. As a matter of fact, half the victims of glaucoma are not aware that they have it!
According to the National Eye institute (2019), between 2010 and 2050, the number of people with glaucoma is expected to increase by more than double from 2.7 million to 6.3 million.
Who is at Risk?
· A person with abnormally high intraocular pressure (pressure in the eye). When the pressure inside the eye becomes too high, damage can occur in the optic nerve. This condition is often linked to most forms of glaucoma.
· Adults over 40 years.
· A person of African, Asian, Latino or Hispanic origin (in other words, being a Nigerian is a risk factor).
· A person with a family history of glaucoma. Most types of glaucoma are thought to be caused by genetic factors. This indicates that having a family member with glaucoma increases the chances of having the disease by 4 to 9 times.
· A person who has had an eye injury.
· Certain medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes etc, can increase the risk of having glaucoma.
· Now that you know what glaucoma is and who is at risk, we will discuss how to prevent the damage and irreversible blindness caused by it.
· Ask questions and be acquainted with your family’s eye health history. This will aid your awareness of the risk of having the disease.
· Regular comprehensive eye examination can help detect glaucoma in its early stages before significant damage may occur.
· Help create glaucoma awareness by educating your friends and family.
Remember, the damage caused by glaucoma is PERMANENT and cannot be reversed. Medicine and surgery, however, can help to stop further damage, and this is why early detection is quite crucial.
Dr. Kosisochukwu Nwobodo (OD) is a licensed Optometrist and humanitarian worker with vast experience in clinical and community health optometry. She is a member of the Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA), Rotary International, Rotary Club of Ekulu, District 9142. She is passionate about eye health and humanity, driven by the goal to promote eye healthcare, and seeks to provide quality eye care to underserved populations.
