Jul 12, 20222 min read

Glaucoma – The thief of sight

Question: What is Glaucoma?

A group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, the nerve which connects the eyeball to the brain. It leads to diminished vision and in worse situation, blindness.

Question: Do you know some facts about glaucoma?

Interesting or scary facts? It is not too late to know about Glaucoma. Let’s us find out how Glaucoma will be developed!

Question: How is Glaucoma developed?

Glaucoma is usually, but not always, the result of abnormally high pressure inside your eye. Over time, the increased pressure can erode your optic nerve tissue, which may lead to vision loss or even blindness. Finding out early, may prevent additional vision loss.

Question: What is the most relevant risk factor of glaucoma for Singaporean?

Question: What are the other risk factors that contribute to glaucoma?

Racial ancestry: African Americans or people of African descent are significantly more likely to develop Glaucoma than Caucasians.
Chronic eye inflammation and thin corneas can increase pressure in your eye. Additionally, physical injury or trauma to your eye increases the pressure.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease increases risk of developing glaucoma.
People over 60 are at increased risk of glaucoma.
Some types of glaucoma may run in families. For example, if your parent or grandparent had open-angle glaucoma, you’re at an increased risk of developing the condition.

Question: So, what are the types of glaucoma?

2 Major types of glaucoma are Open-Angle (Chronic) Glaucoma and Angle-Closure (Acute) Glaucoma. Both have Primary and Secondary. However, PACG results in more blindness.

Question: What to look out for?