Easy to Understand Guide on Glaucoma Symptoms Tests and Treatments
Glaucoma is a category of eye disorders that causes damage to the optic nerve, typically as a result of increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP). With time, this damage may result in either blindness or loss of sight without treatment.
Symptoms: What to Watch For
- Early stages: Usually no symptoms. Numerous individuals do not realize that something is wrong until their damage is progressed.
- Gradual peripheral vision loss: Tunnel vision occurs gradually, the initial loss is side (peripheral) vision.
- Acute (sudden) symptoms: In others (angle-closure glaucoma), vision becomes blurred in a short time, followed by intense pain in the eyes, headache, halo around lights, nausea, and redness. It is an emergency and this requires urgent treatment from an Eye Doctor Agra or any other expert.
How Doctors Test for Glaucoma
To detect glaucoma at the earliest stage (when it can be treated and most of the time it is possible), physicians complete several painless tests or those that are slightly unpleasant:
| Test What it does Tonometry Measures eye pressure. Visual field test (perimetry) Maps side vision to detect blind spots. Optic nerve imaging / ophthalmoscopy Examines the back of the eye for nerve damage. Pachymetry Measures cornea thickness. Gonioscopy Looks at the drainage angle inside the eye. Dilated eye exam Drops widen the pupil so the doctor can see better. |
These evaluations are often performed by an Eye Specialist in Agra or other trained ophthalmologists to confirm diagnosis.
Treatments: How Glaucoma is Managed
Although the damage that has occurred cannot be undone, early treatment can slow or prevent additional loss of the capacity to see.
- Eye drops & medications: Decrease pressure, decrease fluid production or increase drainage.
- Laser therapy: Enhances the flow of fluids or forms tiny holes to relieve pressure.
- Surgery: New fluid pathways are formed by travaculectomy, drainage implants or minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).
Book an Appointment
The first step in taking care of your sight is to diagnose it at the earliest possible time and ensure you treat it in time. Don’t wait if you have a family history of glaucoma, or high eye pressure, or if you are noticing warning signs. Book an appointment with Dr Ridhima Rawat, a reputed eye care and glaucoma specialist in Agra, to receive professional medical advice and modern treatment solutions.