Tuesday, 19th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Glaucoma: A Critical Look at The Leading Cause of Blindness

By Njideka Agbo
23 May 2018   |   6:00 am
The World Health Organisation estimates that over 39 million people are blind and another 246 million people are suffering from low vision. Glaucoma, a group of related eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, is one of the main causes of blindness around the world. In the eye, there is a clear fluid which passes…

The World Health Organisation estimates that over 39 million people are blind and another 246 million people are suffering from low vision.

Glaucoma, a group of related eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, is one of the main causes of blindness around the world.

In the eye, there is a clear fluid which passes through the anterior chamber. When it builds up, it leads to an increase in eye pressure, thereby causing eye damage. This damage can lead to glaucoma.

There are two types of glaucoma: the unsuspecting open-angle and acute-angle closure glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma comes with no symptoms. People who have this usually do not notice a problem with their vision until the disease becomes full blown. People with glaucoma notice they have decreased vision as if they need to squint like they are looking through a tunnel.

A person with acute-angle closure, on the other hand, experiences headaches, eye redness, Glaucomatous halos and eye pain.

A study finds that glaucoma and blood pressure are strongly linked. This link is called Ocular perfusion pressure. When there is high pressure in the eye, the possibility of blood delivering oxygen to the eye and to remove unwanted products is significantly reduced.

Some studies have shown that as much as 40% of people with normal eye range still end up having glaucoma while the reverse can also be the case for those with high eye pressure. This is because glaucoma is determined by how much pressure a person’s optic nerve can carry.

Because you cannot be too sure, a visit to the hospital for eye exams can help keep your eyes in check and slow down the progression of the disease.

In this article

0 Comments

Guardian Life

1 day ago
Bruno Mars has found himself in hot water for reportedly owing a whopping $50 million in gambling debt. The 37-year-old singer has been entertaining audiences with his residency at Park MGM in Las Vegas for nine years. According to sources cited by News Nation, Mars' prolonged stint in Las Vegas may be attributed to his…
1 day ago
Nigerian music sensation Wizkid has announced the title of his next album, “Morayo,” and also renounced being an Afrobeats artist.
2 days ago
There is no denying the fact that the Nigerian cinema is currently undergoing a series of evolution in its creativity arsenal. The women are on the rise, Yes they are and I am not surprised. However, this evolution is —one that transcends screens, challenges stereotypes, and redefines narratives. The rise of female directors in the…
2 days ago
The month of Ramadan is now upon all Muslims, fit and able to fast. However, unmarried Muslims encounter different forms of changes in their lifestyles, five important things to avoid during Ramadan has been listed below. While traditional dating is not sanctioned, the existence of unmarried couples is a reality. To guide these couples during…
2 days ago
Nigerian celebrities gathered in Lagos to support the Nedu Foundation to assist in providing scholarship aid to 1,000 underprivileged individuals to broaden their horizons in higher education.

Music

3 days ago
Nirvana, the haven of perfect peace, is not really a place that exists, except, well, in the consciousness of life’s romanticists like Godwin Josiah Gaza.
14 Mar
Emerging Nigerian singer Decep, born Chimezie Prince Ekene, is carving his path in the country's vibrant music scene. Decep, hailing from Imo State, discovered his passion for music early on, nurtured by his family and the artistic atmosphere of Enugu, a city known for its musical talents. Decep's professional music journey began in 2017 with…
10 Mar
"Kabiyesi Re" is my testimony of God's sovereignty and dominion, inspired by Colossians 2:10. It emphasizes trusting in God for victory, maintaining faith through obedience, and expressing gratitude in all circumstances.
9 Mar
As one of Nigeria’s phenomenal artistes exporting Afrobeats to a global audience through her sensational music, singer cum songwriter, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, has been announced as a special guest...
9 Mar
The Chief Executive Officer of Trending Musik, Segun Ogunjimi, has kicked against the ongoing move to establish an African version of the Grammy Awards.

Film

12 Mar
Nigerian actress Rita Dominic has disclosed that she took a caregiver job in the United Kingdom after taking a break from her acting career in Nigeria. Dominic, who graced the screen with her captivating performances, said she took a step back from her rising acting career to deal with personal challenges between 2001 and 2002.…
11 Mar
From Ryan Gosling's show-stopping "I'm Just Ken" to a naked John Cena coming to the stage, there were several stand-out moments at the 96th Oscars in Hollywood on Sunday. Here are some of the most memorable things that happened on Tinseltown's glitziest evening: John Cena naked As he readied to introduce the award for best…
11 Mar
Here are the winners in key categories for the 96th Academy Awards, which were handed out in Hollywood on Sunday. Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" was the big winner of the night with seven awards, while "Poor Things" -- a female take on the Frankenstein story -- won four. Best picture: "Oppenheimer" Best director: Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"…
11 Mar
"Oppenheimer" swept the board on Sunday at the Oscars, Hollywood's biggest night of the year, with seven awards including best picture and best director, crowning a triumphant year for filmmaker Christopher Nolan. Nolan's masterful drama about the father of the atomic bomb, half of last summer's massive "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, also bagged acting prizes for lead…
10 Mar
With Saro return from the dead to accomplish a single task and Kuranga standing on the way of the son of Bashorun of Oyo, Anikulapo: Rise of the Specter has showing the deep root of greed, ambition, power play, manipulation, love and betrayal.