Why is the term “silent thief of vision” used to glaucoma? Professional Describes

Glaucoma, also known as the “silent thief of sight,” is an eye disease that frequently remains undiagnosed until permanent vision loss takes place. It is known to harm the optic nerve gradually and quietly, usually with no symptoms at all. Although glaucoma has been common for centuries, there is now no treatment for it, which makes it the leading cause of permanent blindness in the world. With an estimated 12 million individuals afflicted, glaucoma is a serious public health issue in India.

Dr. Mithun M Pai, Senior Consultant, Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Rajajinagar, Bangalore, discussed the effects of glaucoma on eyesight in an interview with Jagran English.

Based on statistical data, 11.9 million individuals in India have glaucoma, of whom 8.9 million are blind. In the nation, glaucoma is the cause of 12.8% of blind cases. Even though glaucoma is common, many individuals postpone diagnosis and discover the condition at an advanced stage because of a lack of knowledge about its origins and symptoms.

Glaucoma symptoms might change according on the kind and stage of the condition. The most prevalent kind of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, causes progressive vision loss and abnormalities in peripheral vision. These are generally extremely minor symptoms. Closed-angle glaucoma, on the other hand, may result in abrupt changes in vision, including hazy vision, halos around lights, and impaired night vision. If left untreated, it might result in complete and permanent blindness, thus prompt action is essential.

Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the initial step in treating glaucoma since it stops additional damage to the optic nerve. Prescription eye drops, oral drugs, laser therapy surgery such as a trabeculectomy, or a mix of these techniques are available as treatment options. Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has resulted in revolutionary advances in the treatment of glaucoma due to the emergence of innovative therapies in the field of ophthalmology, such as the iStent inject W. The severity and course of the condition determine the best course of action, and ongoing evaluations are required to assess the efficacy of the therapy.

Although glaucoma cannot be completely prevented, there are risk factors that might raise the likelihood of getting the condition. Age, nearsightedness (myopia), physical disorders including diabetes and high blood pressure, eye injuries, family history, and certain eye procedures are a few of them. Annual eye exams with an ophthalmologist are crucial to stopping the disease’s development early. Early identification, diagnosis, and treatment might avoid glaucoma.

As to Dr. Pai, raising knowledge of glaucoma is essential in order to facilitate rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment, both of which are critical in reducing the progression of glaucoma. Preventing the condition’s blinding effects may be achieved by educating individuals about it and its risk factors. In order to halt the disease’s progression, it will make patients more equipped to adopt preventative measures and attend ophthalmologists for eye care.