Best Glaucoma Specialist in Hyderabad - Dr Siva Kumar Wurity
Glaucoma is a progressive eye condition that can cause irreversible loss of vision and visual field. It is often referred to as the ‘silent thief of sight’ as most patients remain unaware of the symptoms until significant and permanent damage has already occurred.
What is glaucoma, and how does glaucoma occur?
Glaucoma is a painless and slowly progressing eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye and the brain. Optic nerve damage secondary to glaucoma generally occurs due to raised intraocular pressure; it occurs when the pressure inside the eye is increased. However, glaucoma can also occur when the intraocular pressure is within the normal range.
Glaucoma causes irreversible damage, and once the optic nerve fibres are lost, the damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. It can only be stopped from progressing with appropriate, adequate and timely treatment. Hence, early diagnosis, proper treatment and prompt intervention by an experienced glaucoma specialist are extremely important.
Who is at risk of developing glaucoma?
The risk of glaucoma increases in people.
- Over 40 years of age.
- Who have a family history of glaucoma.
- Who have undergone other eye surgeries like vitreoretinal surgeries or corneal transplants.
- Who are on oral or topical steroid medication.
- Who have other eye conditions like uveitis, diabetic retinopathy or venous occlusion.
- Who has had an injury to the eye?
It is important to get yourself checked by a proficient glaucoma specialist if you have any one of the risk factors mentioned above.
How do we diagnose glaucoma?
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for preservation of sight and the keystone for effective treatment. Dr Siva Wurthy, a leading glaucoma specialist in Hyderabad, recommends the following comprehensive multistep approach to detect, diagnose, and grade glaucoma, ensuring timely intervention to preserve sight.
- Applanation Tonometry – a test for measuring the pressure of the eye (IOP) to determine if it is within the normal range or elevated.
- Gonioscopy – With the help of a special lens, the drainage angle of the eye is examined.
- Pachymetry – A simple test to know the thickness of the cornea for an accurate measurement of IOP.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT RNFL) – An advanced imaging technique to have detailed cross-sectional images of the optic nerve.
- Visual Field Testing – A test to assess the visual field of the patient. The visual field is the entire area one can see when the eyes are focused straight ahead. It is the overall field, including the central vision (what one sees directly in front) and the peripheral vision (what one sees to the sides, above and below the central area). Glaucoma affects the peripheral vision first.
Types of Glaucoma:
Glaucoma encompasses a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve in a similar way. However, each type of glaucoma requires a different approach and tailored management for effective care.
- Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: The most common type of glaucoma, commonly associated with increased age and positive family history.
- Angle Closure Glaucoma: Seen in relatively younger patients. Symptoms are acute and sudden, requiring urgent treatment.
- Normal Tension Glaucoma: The type of glaucoma where optic nerve damage occurs despite having normal intraocular pressure.
- Secondary Glaucoma: Occurs secondary to other eye diseases, eye surgeries or medication usage.
How to treat glaucoma?
Treatment of glaucoma depends on the type and severity of glaucoma. The approach may include all or any of the following measures:
- Eye drops: Eye drops are the initial measure used to treat glaucoma that help reduce the intraocular pressure. Once started, they are generally continued lifelong to prevent any further progression of the condition.
Laser Therapies:
- Laser Peripheral Iridotomy: A simple procedure used to create a small opening in the iris to help unobstructed fluid flow in angle closure glaucoma.
- Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty: A laser procedure that helps increase the fluid drainage in open-angle glaucoma.
- Micropulse Laser Trabeculoplasty: A laser procedure to increase the fluid drainage in open-angle glaucoma using short controlled pulses, resulting in less damage to surrounding tissue.
- Trabeculectomy: It is a surgical procedure in which a new drainage pathway is created inside the eye to aid in fluid drainage, thus lowering the IOP.
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): It is an advanced and less invasive surgical method to improve drainage of fluid in open-angle glaucoma.
- Tube shunt surgery: It is a procedure reserved for very advanced cases in which a small tube is implanted to increase the fluid drainage out of the eye.
How to prevent glaucoma?
Glaucoma cannot always be prevented, but its progression can definitely be curtailed or slowed down with:
- Regular eye checkups.
- Early treatment and regular monitoring.
- Strict adherence to prescribed medications.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle to control contributory eye conditions.
Lifelong Monitoring and Support
Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition that requires early diagnosis, periodic checkups, timely intervention and often lifelong treatment. Dr Siva Wurthy is a reputed, highly skilled, experienced, and compassionate glaucoma specialist in Hyderabad, known for his comprehensive approach in efficiently diagnosing and treating glaucoma. Glaucoma progresses slowly, and it has a life-changing impact on the quality of life of a patient. Take the first step today and book a consultation with Dr Siva Wurity to preserve your vision and improve your quality of life.
