You must have seen people wearing spectacles in their daily life. This is because their eyesight becomes weak due to some or the other reasons. Similarly, there are many such eye diseases which we don’t know of much, but they exist. Some of them may even happen to you without even getting noticed. Hence today, let us learn about Glaucoma, a eye disease which can cause major harm if not taken measures at the right time.
Who Is At Risk For Glaucoma?
OnlyMyHealth talked to expert Dr. Harshavardhan Ghorpade who is cataract, cornea and refractive Surgeon in Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi. He told that this disease is majorly transferred from family. This means it is more often that your family has a history of Glaucoma and is thus transferred to you. It is an eye disease which happens due to blockage in the nerves which carry fluid. There are many factors due to which Glaucoma can be caused, some of them are-
- If you are above the 40 years of age.
- Have a family history of Glaucoma
- Have poor vision
- If you have diabetes
- Due to steroid medication
- If you are nearsighted or farsighted
- Had an injury in the eye
- Suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease
- Are of race which is more likely to have this disease
Also Read: 8 Simple Natural Remedies To Prevent Glaucoma
Since Glaucoma is hereditary disease it can happen to children as well. This is called Congenital or Juvenile Glaucoma. It happens due t improper development of the cornea.
Apart from this there is acute angle-closure Glaucoma where the patients who suffer from this disease have absolutely no idea if they have this disease until they get a proper eye check-up. The major symptoms of this type of disease are blurred vision and redness in eyes.
Treatment of Glaucoma
Glaucoma can be treated only if it is at a lower stage where there is blur vision but not vision lost. Once the vision is one, it is very hard to retrieve it. Surgery is the only option in the last stage. There is laser therapy which is available for the treatment of Glaucoma. Whereas there are methods by which you can prevent or control Glaucoma.
Eye Drops- These will either lower the fluid creation or remove the blockage present in the eyes. However, in this treatment there could be chances of allergies, redness, stinging, blurred vision and irritated eyes. So consult a eye-specialist before taking any eye-drop.
Oral Medication- It is possible that you might be given some pills which help remove the blockage and help in free flow. These are generally beta-blockers or carbonic inhibitors.
What Food to Avoid in Glaucoma?
Some people may be unaware of the fact that the foods we consume have a effect on our eyes. Eating healthy food can also help in maintaining healthy eyes. It raises intraocular pressure on the eye nerves if there is too much Trans fat in the diet which can damage our optic nerve. High BMI have higher chances of falling for Glaucoma. It is best to avoid food which is fried and has saturated fats. Butter, cheese, and whole milk should be avoided to prevent Glaucoma.
Instead take food which is rich in minerals and vitamins. Green vegetables such as Spinach have high nutritional value and are good for eyes. Fish is also a very good source of protein and is beneficial for the eyes. Take omega-3 fatty acids to avoid issues related to eyes.
Also Read- Glaucoma and COVID-19: How The Pandemic Has Affected Patients’ Lives?
Conclusion-
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease which can cause permanent blindness if not taken care at proper time. It happens mostly through the family. There are ways through which you can prevent Glaucoma to increase and become severe. Food habits should also be taken care of as it directly affects your eyes.
Read more articles on Other Diseases
