|Once again , B B Eye Foundation remains ahead in conducting the first MIGS( Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) istent in Eastern India – living upto its name of pioneering latest technology with experience and expertise.

The Glaucoma service of B B Eye foundation is not only equipped with every state of the art instruments required for glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, but also offers a team of well known glaucoma experts recognized for their prolific work in this specialized field, at par with the best centres in the world.

GoldmannApplanation Tonometry
Pachymetry
Stereoscopic Disc Photography
Humphrey Visual Field Analyser with liquid lens technology
OCT for RNFL & Retinal Ganglion cell complex
OCT Angiography
Ultrasound Biomicroscopy
Trabeculectomy Surgery
Glaucoma Valve Surgery
Glaucoma Shunt Surgery
MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery)
Pediatric Glaucoma Surgery

|PATIENT EDUCATION

Are you over 40 years?
Does anyone in your family have glaucoma?
Do you have high plus or minus power?
Do you have high blood pressure or diabetes?
Have you used steroids for a long time?
Have you had eye injuries in the past?
Do you see colour haloes around the light?
Do you change your near vision glasses frequently?

If you have answered ‘YES’ to any of these questions, you are a potential candidate for glaucoma. Fortunately timely treatment can save your eyes if glaucoma is detected early.

|What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve–the part of the eye that carries the images we see to the brain. The optic nerve is made up of many nerve fibers, like an electric cable containing numerous wires. When damage to the optic nerve fibers occurs, blind spots develop. These blind spots usually go undetected until the optic nerve is significantly damaged. If the entire nerve is destroyed, blindness results.

Early detection and treatment by your ophthalmologist are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness from glaucoma.

Glaucoma is one of the leading cause of blindness in our country especially for older people. But loss of sight from glaucoma can be prevented with early treatment.

|What causes Glaucoma?

Clear liquid called aqueous humor circulates inside the front portion of the eye. To maintain a healthy level of pressure within the eye, a small amount of this fluid is produced constantly while an equal amount flows out of the eye through a microscopic drainage system. (This liquid is not part of the tears on the outer surface of the eye.)

Because the eye is a closed structure, if the drainage area for the aqueous humor-called the drainage angle-is blocked, the excess fluid cannot flow out of the eye. Fluid pressure within the eye increases, pushing against the optic nerve head and causing damage.

If the drainage angle is blocked, excess fluid cannot flow out of the eye, causing the fluid pressure to increase.

|Types of Glaucoma

Chronic open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common form of glaucoma. The risk of developing chronic open-angle glaucoma increases with age. The drainage angle of the eye becomes less efficient over time, and pressure within the eye gradually increases, which can damage the optic nerve. In some patients, the optic nerve becomes sensitive even to normal eye pressure and is at risk for damage. Treatment is necessary to prevent further vision loss.

Typically, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages, and vision remains normal. As the optic nerve becomes more damaged, blank spots begin to appear in your field of vision. You typically won’t notice these blank spots in your day-to-day activities until the optic nerve is significantly damaged and these spots become large. If all the optic nerve fibers die, blindness results.

Closed-angle glaucoma: Some eyes are formed with the iris ( thecolored part of the eye) too close to the drainage angle. In these eyes, which are often small and farsighted, the iris can be sucked into the drainage angle and block it completely. Since the fluid cannot exit the eye, 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
nausea and vomiting

This is a true eye emergency. If you have any of these symptoms, call your ophthalmologist immediately. Unless this type of glaucoma is treated quickly, blindness can result.

Unfortunately, two-thirds of those with closed-angle glaucoma develop it slowly without any symptoms prior to an attack.

|Who is at risk for glaucoma?

Your ophthalmologist considers many kinds of information to determine your risk for developing the disease.

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 weight all of these factors before deciding whether you need treatment for glaucoma, or whether you should be monitored closely as a glaucoma suspect. This means your risk of developing glaucoma is higher than normal, and you need to have regular examinations to detect the early signs of damage to the optic nerve.

|How is Glaucoma detected?

Regular eye examination by your ophthalmologist is the best way to detect glaucoma. A glaucoma screening that checks only the pressure of the eye is not sufficient to determine if you have glaucoma. The only sure way to detect glaucoma is to have a complete eye examination.

|Specialised Diagnostic Tests for Glaucoma

During your glaucoma evaluation, your ophthalmologist will:

Measure your intraocular pressure (tonometry).
Measure your Central Corneal Thickness (CCT).
Inspect the drainage angle of your eye (gonioscopy).
Evaluate whether or not there is any optic nerve damage (ophthalmoscopy).
Test the peripheral vision of each eye (visual field testing or perimetry).
Computerized imaging.

These tests may need to be repeated on a regular basis to monitor any changes in your condition.

|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.

With any type of glaucoma, periodic examinations are very important to prevent vision loss. Because glaucoma can progress without your knowledge, adjustment to your treatment may be necessary from time to time.

Medications: Glaucoma is usually controlled with eye drops taken daily. These medications lower eye pressure, either by decreasing the amount of aqueous fluid produced within the eye or by improving the flow through the drainage angle.

Never change or stop taking your medications without consulting your ophthalmologist. If you are about to run out of your medication, ask your ophthalmologist if you should have your prescription refilled.

Glaucoma medications can preserve your vision, but they may also produce side effects. You should notify your ophthalmologist if you think you may be experiencing side effects.

|Some eye drops may cause:

A stinging or itching sensation.
Red eyes or redness of the skin surrounding the eyes.
Changes in pulse and heartbeat.
Changes in energy level.
Changes in breathing ( specially with asthma or emphysema).
Dry mouth.
Change in sense of taste.
Headaches.
Blurred vision.
Change in eye color.
Irregular growth of eye lashes.

All medications can have side effects or can interact with other medications. Therefore, it is important that you make a list of the medications you take regularly and share this list with each doctor you see.

|Laser surgery:

Laser surgery treatments may be recommended for different types of glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma, the drain itself is treated. The laser is used to modify the drain (trabeculoplasty) to help control eye pressure. In closed-angle glaucoma, the laser creates a hold in the iris ( iridotomy) to improve the flow of aqueous fluid to the drain.

|Surgery in the operating room:

When surgery in the operating room is needed to treat glaucoma, your ophthalmologist uses fine micro surgical instrument to create a new drainage channel for the aqueous fluid to leave the eye. Surgery is recommended if your ophthalmologist feels it is necessary to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. As with laser surgery, surgery in the operating room is typically an outpatient procedure.

|What is your part in treatment?

Treatment for glaucoma requires teamwork between you and your doctor. Your ophthalmologist can prescribe treatment for glaucoma, but only you can made sure that you follow your doctor’s instructions And use your eye drops.

Once you are taking medications for glaucoma your ophthalmologist will want to see you more frequently. Ideally, you can expect to visit your ophthalmologist every three to four months. This will vary depending on your treatment.

|Loss of vision can be prevented:

Ages 20 to 29 : individuals with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every 1 to 2 years. Other should have an eye exam at least twice during this period.
Ages 30 to 39 : Individuals with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every year. Others shouldhave an eye examinaton at least twice during this period.
Ages 40 to 59 : Every 2 years.
Ages 60 or older : Every year.

Then, get your eyes tested for glaucoma at the best equipped Centre…