Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma or ‘Kala Motia’ occurs when the eye pressure increases and damages the optic nerve leading to impairment of visual acuity. Of all the conditions prevailing in the human eye, glaucoma is one of the most threatening ones. Glaucoma is also known as a ‘silent thief of vision’ as it has often no symptoms and may go unnoticed in the early stages.

Glaucoma may be classified as open-angle or closed-angle or mixed/ secondary type of glaucoma.

• Primary open-angle glaucoma

It is widely known as open-angle glaucoma and is the most common form of glaucoma. It is caused by increased eye pressure which slowly causes damage to the optic nerve and consequent vision loss. Classically the filtration angle (an area between the cornea and iris through which the aqueous humour filters out of the eye) is open. The patient may have high pressure or a vague feeling of heaviness. Associated features may include headache or decrease in vision. Often it is asymptomatic and the patient may not feel anything.
When you visit the eye doctor at Centre for Sight for these complaints the medical staff will take your history and record your vision and eye pressure. The doctor will then examine you and recommend tests if needed. Your eye pressure will be recorded by Applanation Tonometry and the optic disc (nerve of the eye) will be examined for any variation in size as compared to normal. A visual field test will be advised to evaluate the function of the optic nerve. An OCT may be advised to see the thickness of the optic nerve fibres. A corneal thickness measurement will be done. A gonioscopy will be performed to look at the angle. A colour picture of the optic nerve may be needed to document the size of the optic nerve. Depending on the condition of your eyes, the doctor may advise some or all of these tests for a detailed evaluation.

• Open-angle glaucoma treatment

Once the patient has been investigated and the diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma is confirmed, efforts are made to lower the eye pressure using eye drops. There are various kinds of eye drops and the doctor will choose the best drop for you depending on associated conditions such as asthma, diabetes, inflammation in the eye etc. Sometimes additional medicines in the form of tablets, syrups and injections may be given for short term to improve the pressure control.
Other options such as lasers, surgery and filtration devices can be considered for patients not responding or not controlled with eye drops alone.

• Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma in which the drainage area or angle is closed or narrow. Consequently the aqueous humour or fluid inside the eyes cannot drain out normally which leads to a rise in eye pressure. This may lead to pain in the eye, redness, decreased vision and coloured halos around light. Angle-closure glaucoma may have acute symptoms and need immediate attention in the form of medicines and laser to relieve the acute attack. Some patients may have dull, low-grade pain in case of chronic angle-closure glaucoma
When you visit the eye doctor he will examine your eyes as discussed above and recommend some tests based on your eye condition. He will assess whether you need any immediate treatment or a regular follow up.

• Closed-angle glaucoma treatment

Routine, periodic eye checkups will help your doctor assess whether you are at risk of angle-closure glaucoma. Your doctor will perform some tests to see if you have any signs of closed-angle. In case the eye pressure is very high, medicines in the form of tablets/ syrups and eye drops will be given. A laser may be recommended to create an alternative opening to relieve the angle closure and allow fluid to pass through and open the blockade (YAG PI). Patients who do not respond to lasers and medicine will need surgery (glaucoma filtration surgery).

• Secondary glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma develops as a result of other eye conditions such as trauma or injury or complicated surgery, inflammation, use of certain drugs like steroids, etc. Sometimes it may be due to pigment release from the eye (pigmentary glaucoma) or due to deposition of flaky material (pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma) It will need treatment depending on the cause of glaucoma.


• Steroid-induced glaucoma

Excessive and prolonged use of steroids either locally in the eye or systemically for other conditions can lead to steroid-induced glaucoma in vulnerable people. Patients with family history, myopia and diabetes etc. may be more at risk for developing this condition. Avoiding steroids for a long duration is essential. Treatment involves lowering the eye pressure and minimizing steroid use.


• Traumatic glaucoma

Traumatic glaucoma occurs due to direct or indirect injury to the eye. It may occur immediately after trauma or even years later. Sometimes it may be difficult to treat with medication alone and may need surgery to control the elevated intraocular pressure.



What is the treatment for glaucoma (kala motia)?


Glaucoma or ‘kala motia’ can be controlled with appropriate treatment. Centre for Sight recommends disciplined and regular treatment to tackle glaucoma (kala motia). We have one of the best glaucoma specialists to help you diagnose and manage this eye condition and treat it to the best extent possible.

At Centre for Sight, with our team of super specialists and advanced state-of-the-art technology, we are fully geared not just to detect early stages of glaucoma or ‘kala motia’ but to ensure comprehensive treatment and surgical management.
Since most people with glaucoma (kala motia) have no early symptoms or pain, it is important to see your eye doctor regularly. As part of glaucoma treatment, early detection and diagnosis play a critical role in preventing irreversible sight loss.
If you are over 40 years of age and have a family history of glaucoma, you should have a complete eye exam at a hospital that specializes in glaucoma treatment every one to two years.
The glaucoma treatment at Centre for Sight aims to preserve the remaining vision of the patients by lowering IOP (intraocular pressure) so that damage does not escalate.