The eye is just like a ball which has an intrinsic pressure which keeps the eye ‘inflated’. This pressure is maintained by the body within certain parameters. Whenever the pressure of the eye crosses these parameters it results in damage to the eye structures. Thus when eye pressure increases this leads to a condition called Glaucoma. In Glaucoma the optic nerve gets damaged. The optic nerve carries information from the eye to the brain and is vital to seeing clearly. If left untreated, in the later stages the optic nerve damage may even be permanent leading to irreversible blindness. While the damage may be irreversible, Glaucoma treatment can definitely help stop the progress of the disease and prevent further loss of vision. This is done by:

• Medicines: Certain eye drops, ointments or oral medications may be prescribed by our eye doctors.
• Surgeries: Eye surgeries like trabeculectomy or laser surgery for glaucoma or drainage implant surgery for glaucoma may be advised by our eye doctors.

Early identification of the disease is the best treatment for Glaucoma. At Drishti Eye Care we have a host of technology that helps us catch the disease in the early stages.

This Goldmann applanation tonometer instrument is a gold standard to measure eye pressure.

Rebound Tonometer from ICare, Finland:

This portable instrument helps in measuring eye pressure without the need for any anaesthetic eye drops. This is accurate painless and very fast method of estimating eye pressure.

Perimeter from Haag Streit, USA:

Glaucoma causes damage to peripheral vision. So unless the damage is very advanced the person never realises the damage. Also Glaucoma may not always be accompanied by high eye pressure. This test called perimetry is used to examine your field of vision and catch early damage of glaucoma.

Fundus Camera from Canon, USA:

A fundus camera helps to document photos of the retina or the eye’s curtain at the back of our eye. These colour photographs help document the changes when your retina is diseased and monitor the progress of your retina treatment. This is very critical for diabetic, glaucoma, patients on various drugs like HCQS and Anti TB medications.

Indirect Ophthalmoscope from Heine, Germany:

This instrument is used to look at your optic nerve and retina. This gives the view of the retinal periphery. This is important in diagnosed various retinal problems which can then prevent such serious blinding diseases like retinal detachments.

Ultrasound Biometry from Quantel Medical, France:

This device can be used to perform pachymetry or measurement of the thickness of your cornea. Thickness of your cornea has a potential to influence your eye pressure readings. Hence this test is done in conjunction with measuring one’s corneal thickness to get a clear picture of your Glaucoma. This instruments also measured the length of the eye ball which is essential in planning for cataract surgery.

Optical Coherence Tomographer from Zeiss, Germany

This helps your eye specialist at Drishti Eye Care, to study your retina and optic nerve. This information helps detect how much damage has already occurred due to glaucoma and to monitor the progress of the disease. This is also useful in determining the thickness of the retina in diabetes and other retinal diseases.