90% of South Indians blind to glaucoma

Glaucoma, which is the main cause of irreversible blindness, is prevalent among 90% of the south Indian population and most of them are not aware of it.

In India, 11.9 million people suffer from this disorder.

“Most people do not realise they have glaucoma until the damage is done,” said Dr Sirish Nelivigi, a consultant of glaucoma and cataract of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Clinic.

“It is only when people start bumping into things that they realise they are losing their vision,” he added.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve responsible for transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. One major risk factor of the disease is high eye pressure.

While the healthy eye produces aqueous humour at the same rate at which it is drained, in those affected by glaucoma, the drainage is blocked and the imbalance leads to high intraocular pressure.

When people start losing their vision, they do not realise that they are mostly dependent on their central vision. Moreover, if one eye starts losing its vision, the other eye compensates for it.

Although people with high blood pressure and high intraocular pressure are at risk of being affected by glaucoma, there is no direct connection between the two, he said.

Hypertensive people above 40 with eye injuries, a family history of glaucoma and high intraocular pressure are at risk of the disease, according to Dr Sathi Devi, head of Glaucoma services, Narayana Nethralaya.

Since physical examination cannot detect glaucoma, she says the best way to detect it is through regular eye check-ups.

Dr MS Ravindra, secretary of Bangalore Ophthalmic Society, said: “Blindness due to Glaucoma is preventable with early detection. We should work in a manner similar to what we did to eradicate polio — by creating awareness, educating people and through regular health check-ups.”