SERVICES
GLAUCOMA
Your eye constantly produces aqueous humour. As new aqueous fluid flows into your eye, the same amount of liquid should drain out. The fluid drains out through a region referred to as the drainage angle. This treatment approach stabilises pressure in the eye (a term medically referred to as intraocular pressure or IOP). If the drainage angle is not functioning properly, fluid accumulates, and pressure inside the eye increases, damaging the optic nerve.
The optic nerve is comprised of over a million tiny nerve fibres. It is like an electric cable made up of several tiny wires. As these nerve fibres die, blind spots form in your peripheral vision. You may not notice these blind spots initially until significant nerve fibre loss occurs. At this stage, urgent glaucoma disease management is essential. If glaucoma is not managed appropriately, it can lead to total blindness.
Common Symptoms
A typical sign of glaucoma is a visual impairment in which the field of vision is narrowed from the outside. One may also experience sudden onset eye pain and vision loss.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma
There are several risk factors for glaucoma depending on the shape of your eye and/or genetic factors. These include:
Eye pressure (IOP) over twenty-one- Thin corneas
- Family history of glaucoma
- Unusually shaped optic nerves
- Very farsighted individuals
- Very nearsighted individuals
- Patients over sixty
At Dr Johann Snyman’s practise, we utilise high precision diagnostic devices, providing you with exceptional accuracy in glaucoma testing and detection in the earliest possible stages.
Glaucoma Treatment
The primary method of treating glaucoma and preventing or slowing the progression of vision loss is by minimising eye pressure. Prescription medications or eye drops can help achieve this; however, in some patients, glaucoma laser treatment or glaucoma surgery is required to reduce the eye pressure to a more stable range. Recent studies indicate that many patients will be safer once laser treatment is begun instead of eye drops, as this may minimise the risk of requiring cataract or glaucoma surgery.
Recommended lifestyle changes
DO’s
- Keep your head elevated (above the heart), even while sleeping.
- Aerobic/cardiovascular exercises—such as walking, jogging, biking,
- Consume a healthy diet—foods like berries, red onions, lentils, spinach, and dark chocolate contain nutrients that have been shown to help prevent glaucoma disease progression and increase blood flow to the optic nerve.
- Practice mental/emotional well-being—examples include gentle yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation to lower stress, increase blood flow, and reduce high blood pressure.
DON’Ts
- Perform activities or assume positions that involve having the head below the heart for an extended period—examples include headstands and certain yoga
- Engage in activities that restrict exhalation or require holding your breath—such as playing wind instruments or lifting heavy weights/objects.
- Avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates such as commercial baked goods and microwaved popcorn; or have excessive amounts of red meat, processed meats, and caffeine.
- Smoke, vape, or chew tobacco.
Glaucoma can impact many aspects of your life, but it should mostly not stop you from enjoying your favourite activities.
