Why you should get your eyes checked this Glaucoma Week

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye. [iStockphoto]

Here are the symptoms to look out for:

Chronic or Open Angle Glaucoma: No pain but the field of vision becomes gradually impaired.

Acute or Closed Angle Glaucoma: Piercing pain, red eyes, and rapid deterioration of sight. This might be accompanied by a blackout, nausea, vomiting, and misty rainbow rings around white lights. This may result in permanent damage if not treated properly.

Secondary Glaucoma: A rise in eye pressure caused by other conditions like use of steroid-containing eye drops, injections and pills, pigmentary granules from the iris, uveitis. Others are family history, thinner than usual corneas, sickle cell anemia, diabetes or elevated inter-ocular pressure [IOP].

Congenital glaucoma: Caused by malformation of the eye, like poor development of the angle of the eyes, mainly at birth. Hazy eyes, especially in infants should be considered a red flag. Evaluation of the eyes should become a priority.

Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if detected early, it can lower the risk of eye damage. The below steps may help protect your vision:

Regular eye exams are key: Adults over the age of 40-45 need to be checked every 3-5 years. If you have a family history of Glaucoma or any other underlying disease like retinitis pigmentosa, scotoma, stroke, diabetic retinopathy and in some cases even migraine with an aura.

Follow instructions: If your eye test shows a high value of intraocular pressure (IOP), eye drops will generally manage the condition. Follow a strict medication discipline as prescribed by your eyecare practitioner.

Family history: Inquire from your family members or relatives whether any of them have been diagnosed with glaucoma. If so, make it clear to the eyecare practitioner upon each visit.

- Dr Murtaza Somji is an ophthalmic optician at Eyestyle Opticians.