As our humble effort at providing our readers tips on healthcare, we are starting a new series-HEALTHCARE- with one of the most vital organs of human body-the EYE.

Internationally known eye surgeon Dr. V. K. Raju who is based in West Virginia, USA, has very kindly agreed to contribute to the column.

Dr. Raju is passionately committed to help world keep vision and has been holding eye camps in India to provide the much needed eye care. He has made a valuable contribution to preventing blindness and restoring vision among children in India.

Readers may send in questions for Dr. Raju to editor@theindianpanorama.news and both the questions and Dr. Raju’s answers will be published in The Indian Panorama.

We begin the series with one of the leading causes of blindness- GLAUCOMA.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and in the World. It is a disease of the optic nerve, which is the part of the eye that carries the images we see from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma can damage nerve fibers, causing blind spots in our vision.

Glaucoma affects the pressure inside the eye, or intraocular pressure (IOP). Aqueous humor is a clear liquid that normally flows in and out of the eye. When this liquid cannot drain properly, pressure builds up in the eye. The resulting increase in IOP can damage the optic nerve.

The most important risk factors for glaucoma include:

Age; Family History of glaucoma; Diabetes; Past eye injuries.

The only sure way to detect glaucoma is with a complete eye examination. Symptoms of glaucoma are not noticeable until much damage has already occurred. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preventing blindness.

Your ophthalmologist can determine if you have glaucoma after examining the pressure in your eye, your optic nerve, and your peripheral (side) vision.

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent blindness.

(Adopted from American Academy of Ophthalmology -Eye MD Association.)