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HEALTHY EYES
Be vigilant in the
fight against glaucoma
GLAUCOMA is an ancient term and
etymology that describes the bluish-green
colour of the pupil, which is typical of the
end stage of the disease.
It was mistaken for cataract until the
beginning of the 18th century when it was
proved that they differ greatly from one
another. Cataract is the leading cause of
blindness worldwide while glaucoma is
the leading cause of irreversible blindness
in the world.
Globally it is estimated that about 76
million people suffer from glaucoma,
and is predicted to reach 111.8 million by
2040. The magnitude of glaucoma is
expected to keep increasing with
population growth and an increasing
number of ageing people.
Based on the National Eye Survey II (NES
II), the estimated prevalence of irreversible Dr Suresh Subramaniam.
glaucoma blindness is 6.6% in Malaysia’s
blindness population over 50 years of age.
Glaucoma is a multifactorial condition
which is clinically defined as a group of
progressive optic nerve damages having Glaucoma is a multifactorial
characteristic patterns of visual field loss.
The etiological factor is a combination
condition which is
of vascular, genetic, anatomical and clinically defined as a
immune factors involved in the
pathogenesis of glaucoma.
group of progressive optic
The condition shows no signs or nerve damages having
symptoms until later stages and if left
untreated, leads to impaired vision and
characteristic patterns of
eventually worsens into blindness. visual field loss.
Intraocular pressure is the only known
modifiable risk factor. Other important
risk factors include older age (>50 years), defined and have to be strictly observed.
gender, refractive error, genetics, The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the
family history, smoking, race, several earlier the patient can undergo the most
systemic medical conditions, vasospasm, suitable treatment and the better the
use of systemic or topical steroids, prognosis. – By Dr Suresh Subramaniam,
migraine, eye injury and obstructive consultant ophthalmologist, glaucoma
sleep apnea syndrome. specialist at Optimax Eye Specialist
Glaucoma diagnosis criteria are well Centre (Ipoh)
SUNDAY STAR, 7 MARCH 2021 3
4 Healthy Eyes SUNDAY STAR, 7 MARCH 2021
Understanding symptoms
and treatment for cataract
WITHOUT a doubt, sight is the most rays on the retina.
important of the five human senses. It The only treatment for cataract is
allows us to connect with the surgery. There are no proven medications
environment and protects us from peril. or supplements that can cure cataract.
A clear refractive system is crucial to focus Modern cataract surgery is termed
light from an object to the retina. Within phacoemulsification in which the lens is
this refractive system, there is an integral emulsified with an ultrasound device and
component called the lens, a transparent removed via aspiration. An artificial lens
structure which permits light transmission will then be implanted to restore vision. It is
into the eye seamlessly. safe, painless and commonly performed as
Unfortunately, unless you have ambrosia a daycare procedure. Visual recovery is
served by a dove daily, the lens undergoes rapid with patients attaining functional
senility changes, losing its transparency as vision in merely a few days.
age catches up. This loss of transparency or Cataract should be treated once it affects
opacification is medically known as cataract. one’s vision and waiting for the cataract to
Derived from the Latin word cataracta, mature is a myth.
which means waterfall, the term has been Cataract surgery has evolved rapidly and
used metaphorically to describe the its use is not limited to the elderly with
appearance of mature lens opacities, akin cataract. It is also used to treat other
to rapidly running water that turns white. conditions such as near or long-sightedness,
Blurring of vision, glare, haloes, frequent astigmatism and presbyopia.
change of prescription spectacles are the Technology advancement has produced
tell-tale signs of cataract. a plethora of intraocular lenses that rectify
The human lens is synonymous to the the aforementioned disorders. Therefore, it
lens of a camera. Photos taken will be is imperative to discuss with your
suboptimal if the lens is blurred. This ophthalmologist at length to plan and
analogy can be applied to cataract, where an personalise your care. – By Dr Faith Ho
opaque lens reduces light transmission into Fui Li, consultant ophthalmologist at
the eyes and fails to precisely focus the light Optimax Eye Specialist Centre (Kuching)