Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness especially for older people. It is a disease of the optic nerve. When damage to the optic nerve occurs, Blind spots in the field of vision develop, and usually go undetected until the optic nerve is significantly damaged. Early detection and treatment are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage.

What causes glaucoma?

Clear liquid called aqueous humor circulates inside the front portion of the eye and flows out through a drainage system (located in the angle of the anterior chamber). If the drainage angle is blocked or inefficient, the aqueous humor cannot flow out of the eye. Fluid pressure within the eye increases, pushing against the optic nerve and causing damage.

What are the different types of glaucoma?

Chronic open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common form of glaucoma. The drainage angle becomes less efficient over time, and pressure within the eye gradually increases, which can damage the optic nerve. Typically, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages, and vision remains normal. As the optic nerve becomes more damaged, black spots begin to appear in your field of vision. Closed angle glaucoma: Some eyes are formed with the iris (the colored part of the eye) too close to the drainage angle. In these eyes, which are often small and farsighted, the iris can block the drainage angle completely. The pressure inside the eye builds rapidly and causes an acute closed-angle attack. Symptoms may include: blurred vision, severe eye pain headache, rainbow-colored halos around lights, and nausea and vomiting. This is a true eye emergency -call your eye doctor immediately. Unless this type of glaucoma is treated quickly, blindness can result.

Who is at risk for glaucoma?

The most important risk factors include age, elevated eye pressure, family history of glaucoma. farsightedness or nearsightedness, past eye injuries, thinner central corneal thickness, systemic health problems, including diabetes, migraine headaches, and poor circulation. Your ophthalmologist will weigh all of these factors before deciding whether you need treatment for glaucoma, or whether you should be monitored closely as a glaucoma suspect.

How is glaucoma detected?

Regular eye examinations by your ophthalmologist are the best way to detect glaucoma. The only sure way to detect glaucoma is to have a complete eye examination. During your glaucoma evaluation, your ophthalmologist will: measure your intraocular pressure (tonometry); inspect the drainage angle of your eye (gonioscopy); evaluate whether or not there is any optic nerve damage (ophthalmoscopy); and test the peripheral vision of each eye (visual field testing, or perimetry.)

How is glaucoma treated?

As a rule, damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Eye drops, laser surgery, and surgery in the operating room are used to help prevent further damage. In some cases, oral medications may also be prescribed. Periodic examinations are very important to prevent vision loss. Because glaucoma can progress without your knowledge, adjustments to your treatment may be necessary from time to time.

General information:

Regular medical eye exams help prevent unnecessary vision loss. Recommended intervals for eye exams are: Ages 20 to 29: Individuals with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every 3 to 5 years. Others should have an eye exam at least once during this period. Ages 30 to 39: Individuals with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every 2 to 4 years. Others should have an eye exam atleast twice during this period.

Age 40 and older: Every year

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Disclaimer: These are just our views expressed here. Please ensure to always contact your doctor for exact instructions and process to follow. In case of queries feel free to reach us. This article is in no way promoting or suggesting any procedure or treatment and is purely for educating oneself and or for academic interests as an individual. No information in this site is intended to be a substitute for actual professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the consultation and or guidance of a qualified doctor / healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical treatment, procedure, and or before undertaking a new medical health care regimen in any manner whatsoever and never disregard or take specific action or professional medical advice or delay in seeking it just because of what you have read in this website or any of our communications, online or otherwise. Any and all images used here are for representation purposes only

Although structures in the child’s eye are similar to that in adults, the visual pathways continue to develop in a child. Hence, any obstruction to vision at a young age can cause permanent damage to the system that cannot be corrected later. Since small children often may not notice such changes, it is very important that all children undergo a screening eye exam at an early age.

Long sight (Hyperopia) Correction by a convex lens

What are the common problems in a child’s eye?

A common problem is a refractive error high myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism may exist in one or both eyes, especially if these are also present in the parent. These may be associated with misalignment of the eyes, squint, which can however, also exist by itself. Other problems can be structural – cataracts, glaucoma, corneal or retinal disease, and these may be present from birth. A rare but very serious problem is a tumor of the retina retinoblastoma. If the normally black pupil appears white (white reflex) in the eye of a child, please arrange for an immediate eye exam, as also in the case of premature births.

What is a ‘lazy eye’?

Amblyopia, also known as ‘lazy eye’, is reduced vision that does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but rarely both eyes can be involved. A simple vision screening test can detect this-condition, and should be performed in all children since amblyopia is best treated in the early stages.

What is a ‘squint’?

Strabismus or ‘squint’ is a vision condition in which a child cannot align both eyes simultaneously. One or both of the eyes may turn in, out, up or down. An eye turn may be constant (when the eye turns all of the time) or intermittent (turning only some of the time such as, under stressful situations or when ill). Whether constant or intermittent, strabismus always requires appropriate evaluation and treatment. Children do not outgrow strabismus!

What is nystagmus?

Nystagmus is an involuntary rhythmic shaking or wobbling of the eyes. The eyes move constantly in various directions, although horizontal movements are the most common. The presence of nystagmus in a child is often an indication of vision problems. Treatment will depend on the cause. Sometimes, the presence of a nystagmus can indicate neurological dysfunction, and rarely, it can be a side effect of medication use.

How can these conditions be detected?

Children may not complain of problems, and a detailed examination is needed. In infants, the examination is done under general anesthesia. Parents may notice peculiar head posturing, constant side-to-side eye movement, squinting. sitting very close to the TV, or a white reflex in the pupil. The eye exam includes assessment of vision, special tests for stereopsis, (ability to use both eyes simultaneously), eye alignment, pressure and thorough examination of the front and back of the eyes.

How can these conditions be treated?

If a refractive error is detected early, simply providing the correct glasses will correct the problem. If detected late, and one both eyes are already ‘lazy’, then in addition to glasses, other measures may be required – these include eye exercises, and patching or occluding an eye to force the child to use the other eye, thereby ‘strengthening’ that eye.

If there is a squinting of the eyes, in some types, glasses may be corrective, although quite often surgery may be required.

For other problems, like cataract, glaucoma, corneal and retinal disease, the doctor will discuss in detail the options for treatment these could include the use of laser treatment or surgery. If a retinoblastoma (eye tumor) is present, early care is necessary to save the eye and life of the child.

General information

Your child should have his or her first eye exam done during the first year of the child’s life. The next eye exam will be at the age of 3, and once again before entering kindergarten, or by age 5. Thereafter, your child should receive a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years. Since prevention is better than cure, it is better to detect these problems at an early stage.

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Disclaimer: These are just our views expressed here. Please ensure to always contact your doctor for exact instructions and process to follow. In case of queries feel free to reach us. This article is in no way promoting or suggesting any procedure or treatment and is purely for educating oneself and or for academic interests as an individual. No information in this site is intended to be a substitute for actual professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the consultation and or guidance of a qualified doctor / healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical treatment, procedure, and or before undertaking a new medical health care regimen in any manner whatsoever and never disregard or take specific action or professional medical advice or delay in seeking it just because of what you have read in this website or any of our communications, online or otherwise. Any and all images used here are for representation purposes only