The infamous ‘silent thief of sight’, glaucoma eye disease is a condition that affects thousands worldwide and robs people of their precious gift, their vision. Blindness and vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve are the result of an aggravated glaucoma disease. As serious as the condition is, many people often become the victim of myths that allow them to let their guard down, and in the end, glaucoma hits them like a wrecking ball.
In this blog, we will discuss the concerning myths about glaucoma that are widely believed to be true:
Glaucoma is an eye condition that masters the art of hiding. Irrespective of 20/20 vision, there are chances for people to develop glaucoma with no significant signs to detect during the early or even advanced stage.
Glaucoma diagnosis is conducted by studying the appearance of the optic nerve and often doesn’t present itself through peripheral vision issues. Hence, regular check-up by a trusted eye specialist doctor is necessary as early diagnosis can help manage the symptoms optimally.
While age makes an individual susceptible to the disorder, especially the one known as open-angle glaucoma; people of all ages can get affected by the eye disorder, even infants and newborns.
Glaucoma eye disease doesn’t discriminate, however, people over the age of 70 years are at a greater risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma than people in their 40s.
Elevated eye pressure is a prominent factor that promotes the development of glaucoma, however, not every individual with a high eye pressure develops the disorder.
The interesting point here is that people with normal eye pressure can also develop major glaucoma.
This is one of the biggest myths that surrounds glaucoma, and you would be surprised that many people are the first in their family to develop the disease.
While particular types of glaucoma are hereditary and a family history increases the risk factor, there is no guarantee that a person will not get affected by the disease. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the family members may not even be aware of the condition due to a lack of eye examinations.
Indeed, there is currently no cure for glaucoma, however, the right treatment, medicines, surgeries and lasers can help slow the progression of the disorder. Together, a professional and the patient can minimise any side effects by opting for quality treatment.
There is no guarantee that treatment may stop from glaucoma getting worse, however, if left untreated, many patients may progress towards losing vision which may also lead to blindness.
Routine eye checkups conducted by a professional like Dr Nandita Rane - a leading ophthalmologist in Chembur are necessary for early detection. The right course of action taken at the right time can help people enjoy their precious gift, their sight till the disease takes over.