Eye Care Tips: Debunking 5 Most Common Myths About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a very poorly understood disease, and unfortunately, many people are unaware of their condition until it progresses to a serious stage.

Glaucoma, also known as the “silent thief of sight,” is a complex eye disease that can cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, leading to irreversible vision loss and blindness. Unfortunately, there are many myths surrounding this condition that can lead to confusion and a lack of proper treatment. We are going to debunk the 5 most common myths about glaucoma:

Glaucoma is a very poorly understood disease, and unfortunately, many people are unaware of their condition until it progresses to a serious stage. While many people go for regular body checkups, they often miss out on a routine eye checkup.

Without a timely diagnosis, glaucoma can accelerate permanent vision loss or even blindness. Although treatments can slow further vision loss, they cannot restore vision. However, with proper medication and treatment from ophthalmologists, it is possible to protect the eyes from permanent blindness.

Dr. Harsh Kumar, Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma Treatment, Center for Sight, said: “As an ophthalmologist, I strongly encourage people to prioritize their eye health with regular eye exams. In my practice, I have observed that one in eight people over the age of 40 are glaucoma-suspected or have glaucoma. All adults should have a complete eye exam for glaucoma every 2 years. However, those over 40 years of age or with a family history of the disease should increase the frequency to every 1 or 2 years. One can suffer irreversible eye damage if glaucoma is not treated or diagnosed late, hence the need for regular checkups.”

Let’s look at the five most common myths about glaucoma:

1. Glaucoma affects the elderly: While it is true that people over the age of 60 are at higher risk of developing open-angle glaucoma compared to people in their 40s, there are other types of glaucoma that can affect people as young as babies. Irregular eye development, drainage blockages, and other medical conditions can lead to the development of glaucoma. Therefore, it is important that people of all ages have regular eye exams to detect glaucoma early.
2. Glaucoma has no treatment: It is often thought that there is no reason to undergo glaucoma treatment if there are no symptoms. Although glaucoma is not curable, it can be treated with medications, including eye drops and oral therapies. Continuous monitoring and early detection, and proper medication by ophthalmologists are essential to prevent blindness.
3. Excessive screen time: While prolonged screen time can cause eyestrain and discomfort, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it increases the risk of developing glaucoma. Some of the common symptoms of glaucoma include severe eye pain, blurred vision and sudden vision disturbances, and nausea.
4. Glaucoma can be treated with home remedies: Many of us often think that glaucoma can be prevented with natural or home remedies. While some natural remedies may be beneficial for other health problems, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that they can cure glaucoma. Proper treatment of glaucoma requires medication and follow-up by an ophthalmologist.
5. People with good vision do not have glaucoma: Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because people won’t notice symptoms until the disease has reached moderate to advanced stages. Even people with perfect vision can develop glaucoma, so it’s important for everyone to have regular eye exams for early diagnosis and treatment in the early stages.

In conclusion, debunking these common myths can help people better understand glaucoma and the importance of regular eye exams. Let’s pledge to take better care of our eyes and protect them from the ‘silent thief of sight’

(With input from IANS)