Coping strategies for glaucoma patients that help them retain their visual health and quality of life
After cataracts and refractive errors, glaucoma is the third most common cause of blindness in India. With 11.9 million cases of glaucoma, 1.2 million of which are blind due to the condition, glaucoma accounts for 5.5% of all cases of blindness, making it one of the primary causes of irreversible blindness in India. More than ten years ago, a worldwide movement known as “glaucoma week” was started to raise public awareness of glaucoma. Despite this, India still has a poor level of glaucoma awareness.
The chief medical officer of Alkem Laboratories, Dr. Akhilesh Sharma, said in an interview with HT Lifestyle that glaucoma often masks itself as other eye illnesses and does not have obvious symptoms until it is advanced. Diagnosing glaucoma needs sophisticated diagnostic techniques. Consequently, an early “pain to catch.” Getting a thorough, routine eye exam is the only way to determine if you have it.Although there is no known cure for glaucoma, visual loss may be prevented by beginning treatment as soon as feasible.
Although glaucoma may affect anyone, certain individuals are more susceptible than others, such as those who:
are older than 40, 60, and older
have glaucoma in your family’s past
Glaucoma risk is increased by long-term use of oral contraceptives, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, myopia, and other chronic conditions.
Dr. Akhilesh Sharma stated, “Ophthalmologists advise eye check-up at least every year for people above 60 years of age, every two years for people between 40 and 60 years of age, and every four years for people below 40 years of age for the screening of normal individuals for glaucoma since glaucoma does not present with any early warning signs in most cases.”
When you need emergency care if you have glaucoma:
Angle-closure glaucoma has been shown to generate the following unexpected symptoms, according to Dr. Akhilesh Sharma:
severe eye ache
sour stomach (vomiting)
erythema
blurry vision
Physicians use many approaches to treat glaucoma, such as medication (often eye drops), laser therapy, and surgery. According to Dr. Akhilesh Sharma, managing glaucoma requires a comprehensive strategy that includes not just medical care but also lifestyle modifications, managing long-term health issues that raise the risk of glaucoma, and receiving psychological support. Through adherence to recommended medications, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and scheduling regular eye exams, people may slow down the development of glaucoma and protect their eyesight. You may prevent visual loss from glaucoma by managing your blood pressure, being physically active, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.
“Foods containing high levels of antioxidants, vitamins A (especially retinol), C, and E, and zinc can provide protection for vision,” he concluded. These antioxidants are abundant in leafy green crops like spinach. Eating a colorful diet is a wonderful way to ensure that you are getting the right nutrients for your eyes, particularly green and orange foods. Patients with glaucoma may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids because they lower intraocular pressure, enhance optic neuroprotective function, and increase ocular blood flow.
