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| If you are on steroids, Glaucoma can darken your life! | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 9: As most of the eye-care ointments come with steroids as one of the ingredients, doctors claim that the rampant use of these steroids is becoming a major cause of Glaucoma in children as well adolescents these days.
Though Glaucoma usually affects one after 40 years of age, due to the long term use of steroids, it is now also affecting the young children. Also, as per a recent report according to the Glaucoma Society of India, over 12 million people are affected with glaucoma, encompassing 12.8 per cent of India's blind.
"Glaucoma or 'Kala-Motiya' is the loss of vision following the damage of optic nerve. Though there are many reasons for this eye-disease to occur but the over use or long term use of steroid eye drops is coming out to be a serious one, especially among the young children. The eye problem has no particular symptoms but its early indicators include frequent change in near vision number and delayed adoption to dark. In most of the cases, patients face a delay in being able to see things after lights are switched off," said Dr. S P Sharma, Director at K L Sharma Memorial Rotary Eye Hospital, Udhampur.
Dr. Sharma further explains, "There are two kinds of glaucoma, 'chronic' and 'closed angle'. Where no specific cause is known in case of chronic glaucoma, any kind of eye injury and indiscriminate use of steroids can lead to the closed angle case."
It was further pointed out that the chronic case of glaucoma develops slowly and silently and becomes a lifelong condition. The person suffering from this kind of diseases doesn't even know about the problem until the eye damage is permanent. Also known as Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases, is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure. On the other hand, closed angle case is when glaucoma comes suddenly and proves to be quite painful. This type of glaucoma, unlike the chronic case, has symptoms and damage that are usually very noticeable and demands immediate medical attention.
People with high blood pressure or diabetes are also at higher risk of getting affected with glaucoma. "It is recommended that those with near vision problem and power of -4 must get their intraocular pressure checked to contain glaucoma," Dr. Sharma adds.
Ophthalmologists warn that those frequently using nasal sprays, anti-allergy creams and eye drops or pills containing steroids are usually vulnerable to glaucoma.
Discussing about one more type, known as, Congenital Glaucoma, Dr. Sharma said that this type of glaucoma occurs in babies when there is incorrect or incomplete development of the eye's drainage canals during the prenatal period. This is a rare condition that may be inherited. When uncomplicated, microsurgery can often correct the structural defects. Other cases are treated with medication and surgery.
"My seven-year old daughter was suffering from itching of eyes from past few weeks and now doctor has claimed that the problem has become serious due to the over use of steroid eye drops," said Kunal Bakshi at a city hospital.
Discussing about the prevention, Doctors said that one must get eyes tested regularly after one is 40-year-old. Both high as well as low blood pressure can upset the intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerves. Also, patients who are on oral or topical steroids should get themselves treated on a regular basis. Moreover, practice of taking 8-10 glasses of water every morning is not a healthy practice, and can suddenly lead to the Closed Angle Glaucoma, doctors suggest. |
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