What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition in which high pressure of eye damages the retinal nerve fibres and optic nerve. This results in decreasing the visual area and visual loss. 

How do I know if I have Glaucoma? 
Many a times this condition is detected only upon routine eye examination as the most common type of Glaucoma has no symptoms. Hence all patients at NEC are screened for the same. The symptoms of this disease may vary from no symptoms to eye ache, headache and red painful eye with blurred vision. 

How much is high pressure? 
The average normal intraocular pressure is 10 to 21 mHg. Pressure above 21 mHg may slowly damage the optic nerve (Primary Open Angle Glaucoma). 

Can I have Glaucoma with normal pressure? 
Yes, some people have susceptibility to damage even with normal pressure (Low Tension or Normal Tension Glaucoma). 

What tests are done to diagnose Glaucoma? 
To diagnose Glaucoma, intraocular pressure is measured in the clinic. The ophthalmologists documents the changes of optic nerve head(disc) while looking at your fundus through pupil. If Glaucoma is suspected, you may have to undergo a computerized visual field test to detect areas of fading vision. The type of Glaucoma is detected by assessing the angle of an interior chamber of eye by gonioscopy. 

How is Glaucoma treated? 
Treatment often begins with eye drops to lower intraocular pressure which helps to prevent further damage. Newer medications are now available which are very effective and few side effects. 

What is the role of Laser? 
Certain type of Glaucoma eg. Pigmentary Glaucoma are treated by Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT). Peripheral Iredectomy (P.I.) has a role in narrow angle Glaucoma. 

Is there surgery for Glaucoma? 
With the newer medications, surgical intervention is less required. However in patients who have failed laser treatment or not controlled by medication, filtering surgery trabeculectory is done. 
 

All patients at NEC are screened for this silent disease. The clinic uses computer technology along with other sophisticated tools to provide Glaucoma evaluation and treatment. 

• Applanation tonometer : Inami
• Non contact tonometer : Nidek
• Automated Visual field analyser : Humphrey
• Fundus Camera
• Nd: YAG Laser :Zeiss
• Double frequency laser : Zeiss
• Medical and surgical procedures