Glaucoma
The optic nerve is afflicted by a group of diseases which results in the loss of retinal ganglion cells. This ailment is called glaucoma. Intraocular pressure poses a greater risk when it comes to the contraction of glaucoma. This disease, if left untreated, can lead to an irreversible damage of the optic nerve leading to a subsequent visual field loss, which in turn can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is known as the “sneaky thief of sight” as the loss of visual field happens only over a long period of time and the damage would have been done by the time one takes notice of it.
There are a few symptoms that are synonymous with glaucoma. As the disease matures, a person may experience blindness in the peripherals of his eyes. There are also symptoms of blurred vision and appearance of colored halos around bright objects. In the case of closed angle glaucoma, a person also experiences splitting headache, nausea and rapid vision loss.
The detection of glaucoma can be done with the help of a few diagnostic tests namely tonometry, perimetry, opthalmoscopy and gonioscopy. There is no specific treatment for this disease but with aid of medication and surgery, intraocular pressure is brought under control curbing further loss of vision.
Prevention of this disease can be done by getting the eye test every couple of years especially if one falls under the 40-65 age brackets. If a person has a family history of glaucoma, uses steroids or suffers from a chronic disease, periodical eye examination is mandatory.