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info@innovationeyecentre.co.ke
info.ksm@innovationeyecentre.co.ke

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Kisumu

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Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes progressive irreversible damage of the nerve for vision and slowly leads to blindness. It is often associated with high pressure inside the eye.

There is usually no warning, or obvious symptoms to detect it until marked irreversible loss of vision has occurred and this has led to glaucoma being described as the “sneak thief of sight”. It is treated by reducing pressure in the eye.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It afflicts more than 67 million people globally of whom about 5.0 million are blind. In Kenya, over 400,000 people are affected. Unfortunately, most people with glaucoma are not aware of it. It is the estimated that over 90% of Kenyans who suffer from glaucoma are not aware of it!

How is glaucoma diagnosed

A complete eye exam is needed by a specialist. It will include:

  • Visual acquity test. This eye chart measures how well you see at a distance
  • Eye pressure measurements. An instrument measures the pressure of the eye
  • Visual field test. This measures your side(peripheral) vision
  • Dilated eye exam. Drops are put in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. A special magnifying lens is used to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may be blurred for a few hours.
  • Other tests may be done as necessary

Who is at risk?

Anybody is at risk of getting Glaucoma. However, there are groups of people who are at a higher risk of getting the disease. These include people:

  • aged over 40 years old;
  • history of glaucoma in the family; of African race;
  • high Intraocular Pressure (above 21 mmHg);
  • with Myopia (shortsightedness);
  • with Diabetes mellitus.

The more of these risk factors an individual has, the higher the need for frequent eye checkup.

How do I know I have glaucoma

At first there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal, and there is no pain. However, as the disease progresses, you may slowly loose side vision. Objects in front may still be seen clearly, but objects to the side may be missed. If untreated, you will slowly lose your peripheral (side) vision. One eye may be affected at first but finally both get affected.

How is glaucoma treated

Early diagnosis is very important. Immediate treatment for early stage of glaucoma can slow down or halt the disease’s process

Treatments include:

  • Pressure lowering eye drops, laser, surgery or a combination of any of these. While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve sight already lost from glaucoma
    • Medicines – Pressure lowering medicines work by either increasing outflow of the fluid inside the eye or reducing its production. It is important that the drops are used exactly as instructed by your doctor. Because glaucoma usually has no symptoms, people may be tempted to stop taking or may forget to take their medicines. You need to use the drops as long as they help control your eye pressure
    • fluid drain out of the eye. Your doctor may suggest this step at any time. In many cases you need to keep taking glaucoma drugs after this procedure. Studies show that laser surgery is very good at reducing the pressure in some patients. However, its effects can wear off over time. You doctor may suggest further treatment.
    • Surgery – Conventional surgery makes a new opening for the fluid to leave the eye. Your doctor may suggest this treatment at any time. A small piece of tissue is removed to create a new channel for the fluid to drain from the eye.