Whether Glaucoma or Cataract, both are severe eye infections of old age. If not treated can lead to complete blindness. Both the diseases seem similar but there are significant differences between the two. We connected to Dr Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO), Consultant and Eye Surgeon, at Neytra Eye Centre, New Delhi for her inputs on these two eye diseases.
Difference Between Glaucoma And Cataract
Glaucoma is one of the eye diseases that cause painless, silent loss of vision. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. There are various names associated with it. It is known as Silent Killer of the eye, silent thief and in Hindi it is referred to as Kala motia. It differs from cataract, which is called Safed motia. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataract disrupts the lens while Glaucoma damages the optic nerve due to a rise in eye pressure.
Pathology of Glaucoma
Our eyes have fluid called aqueous humour which circulates in the eye and drains out through channels present in the eye. If the drainage does not work efficiently, it leads to an increase in eye pressure which can further cause compression of the optic nerve. The compression leads to damage to tiny visual fibres causing blind spots in the vision.
Causes Of Glaucoma
There are several factors which can lead to Glaucoma which include high blood pressure, smoking, caffeine, damage to the angle of the eye, trauma to the eye, age or it can be hereditary too.
Why Is It Called A Silent Killer?
Glaucoma is termed a silent killer because there are no warning signs or symptoms associated with this disease. The blind spots gradually develop and increase leading to damage of peripheral vision. Gradually it takes over the central vision (red eye flu) as well. Few people with high eye pressure can develop a headache or blurriness of vision in the morning. Apart from that, there is no way in which a patient can notice a change in vision until it’s too late. Sometimes, there is an acute attack of glaucoma which is characterised by severe eye pain, redness of Eyes, blurred vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, and seeing a rainbow or halo around light. These conditions require immediate ophthalmologist referral and medical treatment.
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Treatment Of Glaucoma
The earlier the disease is caught, the better the visual outcome. Since the damage is irreversible, medical and surgical treatment can help lower the eye (dry eyes treatment) pressure and preserve the remaining vision. So, it is advisable to get a routine eye checkup once a year.
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Who All Have A Risk Of Glaucoma?
People with certain conditions are more prone to Glaucoma which include age 40 or more, family history of glaucoma, high eye pressure, hypertension, individuals who take steroids on a long-term basis, eye trauma, diabetes, migraine, poor blood circulation or other health problems affecting the body, have myopia or hypermetropia.
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