Glaucoma: What Is It? Understand the types, risks, treatments, and common misconceptions surrounding it.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” because, if left untreated, it can also gradually cause visual loss over an extended period of time.
After cataracts, glaucoma is thought to be the second most common cause of blindness and the main cause of irreversible blindness. This category of ocular conditions harms the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual data from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” because, if left untreated, it can also gradually cause visual loss over an extended period of time.
Types Of Glaucoma:
The two main categories of adult-onset glaucoma are open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, which are further divided into primary and secondary forms.
Another possibility for glaucoma development is congenital or infantile glaucoma, which appears just after birth or throughout infancy.
“If there is watering, intolerance to light, forceful closure of eyelid, cornea size apparently large and hazy parents should go to eye doctor early and prompt treatment is necessary,” stated Dr. Paul.
Risk Factors Of Glaucoma:
“Risk factors are elevated intraocular pressure, advancing age, family history, refractive errors and perhaps presence of certain systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.”
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Glaucoma:
Following a glaucoma diagnosis, the patient must adhere to the prescribed course of action and schedule routine checkups as directed by the physician. Every family member should get routine eye exams to rule out glaucoma if there is a history of the condition.
“Topical anti-glaucoma medicines, lasers, and surgery are available as treatment options. Topical anti-glaucoma medicines are the first line of treatment for adult-onset glaucoma. In certain cases, laser treatment is also taken into consideration. Dr. Paul stated, “In case of congenital or infantile glaucoma surgical treatment is considered first, and if above fails then surgical intervention is considered.”
Ayurvedic Remedies For Glaucoma:
Ayurveda has several specific regimens for managing glaucoma as well as medicines that may restore normal function to the eyes. Dr. Mandeep Singh Basu, Director of the Dr. Basu Eye Hospital, mentioned a few Ayurvedic cures.
Netra Basti: In order to prevent spills, medicinal ghee is applied to the eyes inside a circular container. It assists in the treatment of glaucoma and helps eliminate toxins from the eyes.
Light or Lamp Gazing (Tratak karma): To enhance eye health and lessen the symptoms of Glaucoma, this traditional practice is concentrating on a candle or earthen lamp. Your eyesight can benefit from the light’s calming golden rays.
Castor Oil: Using a drop of castor oil in the eyes and rubbing it into the soles of the feet will help stop the advancement of glaucoma and shield the eyes from harm. It is reusable several times a day.
Triphala: Triphala, a concoction of three fruits (amla, bibhitaki, and Haritaki), is well-known for its many health advantages. It has proved successful in reducing glaucoma-related eye strain, redness, and swelling when applied as eye drops or consumed as a tonic.
Punarnava: Punarnava’s leaves and roots are well known in Ayurveda for its ability to effectively heal eye conditions. Punarnava root, when ground into a powder and combined with Mamira, relieves glaucoma, corneal ulcers, and night blindness symptoms. The leaves of the plant can also be used to make ophthalmic creams for different types of eye conditions.
Mahatriphaladi Ghrita: Triphala is a great element in ghee for ocular disorders because of its well-known benefits for eye health.