RA
1
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Serious severity
· Ophthalmology
Glaucoma
Silent thief of sight · Optic nerve damage
Pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve silently — peripheral vision is lost first. Annual screening after 40 is essential.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Over 12 million Indians
- Typical age
- 40+ years
- Outlook
- Manageable, irreversible loss if untreated
- System
- Vision
Reviewed by a verified Ophthalmology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- High intra-ocular pressure
- Family history
- Age over 40
- Severe myopia
- Steroid use
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Usually no symptoms early
- Loss of side vision
- Tunnel vision late
- Acute angle closure: severe pain, red eye
- Rainbow halos around lights
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Prostaglandin analog eye drops
- Beta-blocker drops
- Laser trabeculoplasty
- Trabeculectomy surgery
- Treat acute closure urgently
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Annual eye check after 40
- Tell ophthalmologist about family history
- Use steroid drops only short term
- Control diabetes, BP
Do’s
- Take eye drops daily, lifelong
- Annual check-up with family history
- Bring all eye drops to every visit
- See doctor immediately if eye pain and red
Don’ts
- Skip drops on travel days
- Stop drops when 'feeling fine'
- Ignore acute eye pain — emergency
- Use steroid drops without supervision
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.