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What is glaucoma?

"Glaucoma" describes a whole group of diseases affecting the eye wherein owing to an unhealthy pressure within the eye, the intraocular pressure, direct damage to the optic nerve occurs. The intraocular pressure rises due to an alteration in the drainage system of the eye, which is either blocked or offers resistance to the normal drainage.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Symptoms of chronic or acute glaucoma include trouble focusing vision, sensation of a blind area (Scotoma), headaches associated with exercise, halos around light and even Pain in the eye, particularly when associated with smoky vision. Very often there are no symptoms and hence a routine eye check up after the age of 40 is usually advisable to rule out glaucoma.

What are the types?

Glaucoma could be the open angle type which is usually without symptoms and hence gets diagnosed only in the late stages. In the angle closure type, the eye pressure rises acutely due to a sudden block in the drainage system. Glaucoma may also occur in children (congenital glaucoma) after trauma or with inflammation.

Can it be treated?

Glaucoma is most commonly managed with medications only. Surgical treatment is an option only in those who do not respond to these medications and in congenital glaucoma.

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