What is Glaucoma?
It is a group of disorders with peculiarities of progressive death of the optic nerve or destruction of the optic disc head, that presents with characteristic appearance at the back of the eye, high pressure in the eye and irreversible visual field loss (blindness).
What happens in Glaucoma?
In Glaucoma there is death (apoptosis) of the retinal ganglion cells in the eye either by increase in pressure in the eye which results in the block of growth factors for these cells or idiopathic block of these growth factors which results in programmed cell death, as these cell die they release chemicals that also causes the neighbouring cells to die forming a cascade of cell deaths until eventually a lots of cells are dead and visual stimulus cannot be sent to the brain.
Who is at risk of getting Glaucoma?
Everybody is at risk, however research has proven to that it has some heredity relation, thus, if your mother or father or sibling is diagnosed of having glaucoma, there may be this slight chance of you developing glaucoma in the near future. The aged are also known to have a higher risk of developing glaucoma due to the decrease in the drainage efficiency with senility.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma?
It quite unfortunate that Glaucoma hardly presents with symptoms or any signs that may otherwise lead to its early detection and saving of sight, irrespective of that, there are different types of glaucoma and the acute angle closure glaucoma is known to present with some symptoms which may lead to its detection however delaying treatment in its case may result in immediate loss of vision. Acute Closure Angle may present with seeing haloes around light, severe ocular pain, acute high eye pressure, upon palpation of the eyeball one may noticed that the eye has become very hard. Aside this, your optometrist may require the assistance of some ophthalmic instruments such as the ophthalmoscope, slitlamp and some other tests to diagnose the condition.
Can Glaucoma Be Treated or I will definitely loss my sight when diagnosed?
The good news about glaucoma is that is propagation has reach the masses and hence the patronage to the eye clinics have increase thus there is a higher chance of diagnosing it early now among patients. When it diagnose early it can be managed such that the patient may not loss his vision in his or her lifetime, however if diagnosed late then we can only manage what is left of the vision since the damage to the optic nerve is irreversible, patient would have to be very compliant to ensure that further damage is kept at bay. You optometrist may combine different management methods to ensure effective treatment based on the type of glaucoma and other factors.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To reduce or prevent vision loss through diseases such as glaucoma, cataract and refractive errors.
To enlighten the majority of the Ghanaian population about the importance of proper visual care.
To conscientize people on the need for regular eye checks
To get more people to have their wards screened within the Critical periods of a Child’s Vision Development; thus from ages 3 to till about 10 years.
To help the blind and people with low vision live a better life within the society through education of the general public to stop stigmatization.
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