I Å̶̷̩̥͡•̸Ϟ an eyecare specialist, being a member of Nairaland,I can't but help 2 educate us all abt one of d leading causes of blindness called Glaucoma
Glaucoma is d second leading cause of blindness worldwide after Cataract.Glaucoma happens 2 be d most deadly among all the eye disease due 2 some unique etiologies associated with it
What really makes it deadly is dat a patient can have dis disease without even knowing dat he/she has it because it dosnt coms with any signs or symptoms during it early stage,but dis might later be present in advanced stage when it has alredy done a lot of damage the eye/eyes.that's why its called SILENT THIEF OF SIGHT.

ETIOLOGY/CAUSES: Glaucoma is associated with Increase pressure of th eye called IOP(Intra ocular pressure),which is synonymous wit cardiovascular high blood pressure.This increase/raised IOP results 4rm either oversecretion of aqeous humor n reduced outflow through d trabecular meshwork wch escapes via d canal of schlem in2 d body.Also any obstruction in dis drainage channel can also lead 2 increase intra ocular pressure which is a triggering factor for Glaucoma..the logic behind dis is jus like a stagnant water prevented 4rm flowing or drainage system dat has been blockd,after a while d water in dis drainage system changes colour due 2 contamination n starts bringing out foul odour which is now injurious 2 our health,that's the same way increase intra ocular pressure affects the optic nerve which sends visual signals 2 the brain.
There re 2 main common types of Glaucoma-
PRIMARY ANGLE GLAUCOMA(POAG):In dis type of glaucoma,the drainage system 4 aqeous outfow re ok,n dere is Ŋ blockage,only dat d rate of production of aqeous is so much dat it tends 2 accumulate in d drainage system.This is d most common type of Glaucoma found in africa n in other part of d world except asia.This type of Glaucoma is d most deadly cos it dosnt com wit any signs or symptoms like pain,redness of d eye or any other signs or symptoms..it is only in d latter stage dat d patient may start noticing some symptoms or signs which include,not seeing object close 2 his sides,which is called tunnel vision.At this stage Glaucoma is rily present and dere as alredy been vision loss,n d bad thing abt dis is dat vision loss can never be restored be it pharmaceutically or surgically.

ANGLE CLOSURE GLAUCOMA(ACG):in dis kind of glaucoma,patient may complain of pain in d eyes,or heaviness of d eye while moving d eye..this is a result of either closure or narrowing of the anterior chamber which is also part of the drainage system.this is mainly common in asian continent.one common signs of both ACG n POAG is peripheral vision loss which results 4rm destruction of d peripheral nerve fibres of d optic nerve,n most nerves of d body dnt regenerate when destroyed except 4 some nerves in d brain which re made up of neurolemma cells.this is why vision can never be restored in glaucoma but can only be preserved when detected early.

PEOPLE AT RISKS OF HAVING GLAUCOMA:Glaucoma is really a familial disease.I.e it runs in d family.If you have ever heard of any of Y̶̲̥̅̊o̶̲̥̅̊Your family member gone blind without any cause,you re rily @ risk of having glaucoma,it dosnt matter if d person was Чυя great great great great grandfather.You are supose 2 vist an eye clinic @ least once or twice a year 2 carry out glaucoma screening test.
People who also abuse drugs by using steroid drugs without doctor's prescription re also @risk
Research also showd that some foods can also be a triggering factor,most especialy foods containing glutamate.e.g our favorite noodles seasoning powder.
Patients who have high refractive errors,especialy those having myopia of high power re at risk of having glaucoma n must always make sure dey carry out glaucoma screening always cos this high myopia affects d cup to disk ratio in deir retina by making it more cupped thereby loosing some peripheral nerve fibres.
Acohol drinkers and smokers are also at the risk of having Glaucoma.
Patients having diabetes,n also high blood pressure are also @ risk of having Glaucoma n Cataract.

TESTS CARRIED OUT TO CONFIRM GLAUCOMA: A very important clue 2 glaucoma is a proper case history 4rm Чυя patient and the patient's visual acuity test V.A, there are also some selected tests which helps 2 clear the doctor's doubt.these tests re :

1) TONOMETRY: This has 2 D̶̲̥̅̊Ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ with measuring d IOP of d patient's eye with an instrument,which comes in various types n design.the most common ones re Sciotz tonometer,Goldman applanation tonometer and d automated ones like Airpuff tonometers.If d measured pressure is higher than 21mmHg,den Ocular hypertension is present but Glaucoma not yet confirmed.Normal pressure ought 2 be in d range of 11-21mmHg.If lower than 11,then Ocular hypotension is present

2)OPHTHALMOSCOPY: This is done using an instrument called Opthalmoscope.This instrument enables the Doctor 2 view d internal part of d patient's eye.It is really a very good and important diagnostic instrument cos it shows you some disease which the patient may not know he has.
For a Glaucoma patient,these instrument shows cupping of the fundus,which is either graded as type 4 or 5.In type 5 grading,massive damage has realy been done 2 the patient's eye n if posible d patient might have bcom blind in that eye or having a narrow visual field.

3)VISUAL FIELD ANALYZER:this is an instrument use in assessing a patient's visual field I.e the extent to which a patient can see object around him.In glaucomatous eye,the patient fails 2 see objects brought from his sides.
Any patient that fails 2 or 3 of these tests,is confirmed 2 be suffering from Glaucoma.

TREATMENT: There is really Ŋ kmown cure to Glaucoma,but d only available step is geared towards lowering the IOP,as this is really the triggering factor.once Glaucoma destroys the eyes n d patient goes blind,there is nothing dat can be done 2 regain the patient's sight.Early detection is surely the only available option as these can really put an halt 2 d destruction of d nerve fibres during glaucoma attacks and preserve d remaining vision in dat eye when proper medication is use.The treatment options available re:

1)USE OF DRUGS: some specific drugs called beta blockers re use in treating glaucoma.These drugs interfere with the production of aqeous from the cilary bodies.These ciliary bodies produces aqeous which help 2 giv the eyeball its shape and prevents d eyeball frm collapsing.These drugs tend 2 help 2 reduce d production of aqeous therby leading to less aqeous in d eyeball preventing raised IOP.these drugs comes in different combinations.Only Y̶̲̥̅̊o̶̲̥̅̊Your Doctor knows the best drugs 2 prescribe cos I dnt want 2 start mentioning diff drugs available so as 2 prevent drug abuse.These drugs re 2 be use on a daily basis throughout d patient lifetime.Failure 2 D̶̲̥̅̊Ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ so,wil realy lead 2 quick blindness as d drugs can prolong d patient getting blind
.
2)SURGERY:In casee where there is narrowing of the anterior chamber or blocked trabecular meshwork or canal of schlem,a special kind of surgery called trabeculectomy,can be done so as 2 open up dese drainage system,thereby increasing aqeous outflow.
In extreme cases,combination of drugs n surgery can be necessary

3)COUNSELLING: This is usually necessary when it has been confirmed a patient has glaucoma,advise n counselling is usually very necessary in order 4 the patient to always use his/her drug on a daily basis so as 2 prevent blindness or prolong the patient blindness years.
For patients who are already blind as ar esult of Glaucoma,counselling is d only option in other to help the patient adjust 2 his /her new state so as to be able 2 fit into the society without any emotional trauma.

HINDERING FACTORS:there are many factors associated with blindness 4rm glaucoma.These factors ranges from;

1)Illiteracy/Ignorance-jus d way dey say it,when there is Ŋ knowledge my people perish. Most people living in rural areas are culprits.whenever they encounter any problem with their eye,they tend 2 use different medications most especially herbal drugs which specifications n formulations re nt or wel spelt out.They always tend 2 seek medical attention when everything as gone bad.the funniest thing also is that most educated fellows re also culprits of these.A patient walked up 2 our clinic abt some months ago,he was highly educated.His family members brought 2 his notice of his mother having vison problems,he invited her 2 his base in lagos n without taking her 2 any nearby eye clinic,took her 2 traditional healers who realy helped by making his mum G̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ blind.It was then he came 2 our clinic,n @ that stage dere was nothing that can be done again cos she had totally gone blind in both eyes. Visual acuity in both eyes were NLP.I called him personally by making him know he caused his mother's blindness while in d office with him.The medications given 2 him by the herbalist rily triggered the pressure and caused more damage to the eyes.In cases of this type,always visit the closest eyeclinic even if U̶̲̥̅̊ notice any problem as minor as itchy eyes.This is why there re specialiazation in medical field.

2)LACK OF/LITTLE AWARENESS: This is also a major problem as most patient I D̶̲̥̅̊Ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ attend 2 on normal basis,always say they have never heard of Glaucoma before,while some mistakes it for cataract.I think Govt n we in d eyecare profession really have a lot of part 2 play in that aspect.that's y took it as a duty upon myself to inform my fellow nairalanders,cos I Ŋ a lot of people wil benefit 4rm these information due to d large numbers of nairaland members.

3)RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: As martin luther king had earlier said,Religion is really the opium of the people. Most people due to religious belief,always try 2 shy away 4rm medical treatment believing their pastors or imams have d solution 2 deir problem. I encoutered such late last year,when a member of one of d popular pentecoastal church walked into my clinic with her mum.After carrying out the necessary tests on her mum,I discovered she had glaucoma,n broke d news 2 her daughter.To my greatest surprise this woman almost fought me when I started telin her abt d diagnosis n implication of not taking emergency medical treatment. I never knew she had been told b4 at luth that her mum has glaucoma but she refused medical treatment saying there was nothing like glaucoma in her family.she said glaucoma was something caused by devil n she has been praying and giving her mum holy water n she believes the God of a particular pastor*name witheld can never allowed that.I tried making her believe it is not the way she was thinking,dat the GƠ̴̴̴̴͡.̮Ơ̴̴͡ thing is,her mum can be prevented 4rm going blind if she starts using d required drugs as soon as possible.she almost slapped me 4 pronouncing on her mum what she blieves she dosnt have.that was how she walked out in annoyance saying its my mum that has glaucoma n nt hers.
I was surprised seeing her October this year in our clinic with her mum.She said she came 2 complain that after all prayers n other things done,her mum stil complains of not seein wel.wen a proper test was carried on her mum,it was discovered that one of her eye is already gone(blind),while the other is almost blind also.I told her delay made that possible cos if she had agreed 2 what I told her the other time,her mum vision would have been preserved.At the end she and her mum were shedding tears like babies,I had 2 snd her to d reception cos I believe such would have been prevented if not 4 her religious belief.
The ideal truth is that prayer is good n helps,but God himself can't really com down 2 help.I believe dere is other way God can help if he has already shown U̶̲̥̅̊ where Y̶̲̥̅̊o̶̲̥̅̊Your problems lies,y not take the necessary step 2 materialize Y̶̲̥̅̊o̶̲̥̅̊Your prayers being answered.just as d saying goes,heaven helps those who help themselves.

Most educated and none educated people re victims of this.

Our eyes is one of our most precious Gifts 4rm God..because wen God said let there be light and there was light,he gave us eyes to appreciate the beauty of the world...Preserve Y̶̲̥̅̊o̶̲̥̅̊Your Vision,
Visit an Eye clinic 2day, and G̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̝̇̇̇ for Glaucoma Screening so as to know the status of Y̶̲̥̅̊o̶̲̥̅̊Your eyes..Seasons Greetings 2 all my fellow Nairaland Members.
Dr. Omoikerodah Edmund.M.
CLASSIC VISION EYE CENTRE,SANGO OTA
08062531454
Email:edmundo.steroidal@gmail.com
Twitter:@drsteroid

Very Educative. But my question is where can one visit to have his/her eyes tested. We know that most Nigerian hospitals don't have the facilities or equipments to carry out the test. So do you mind telling us the specific hospital that run this test and the cost of the test.

OP, I have somethings in my eyes, they are like cobwebs, though not many. I see them even when I close my eyes. It started in 1994. I have gone to the hospital two times and nothing was found. It started in one eye then spread to the other. It doesn't disturb my vision, not painful either, but not normal.

What do you think I will do?

@henrychubayo
U̶̲̥̅̊ can really walk into any clinic that offers eyecare services,and U̶̲̥̅̊ can carry out glaucoma screening there.Its really avery simple test

Rudebwoy: OP, I have somethings in my eyes, they are like cobwebs, though not many. I see them even when I close my eyes. It started in 1994. I have gone to the hospital two times and nothing was found. It started in one eye then spread to the other. It doesn't disturb my vision, not painful either, but not normal.

What do you think I will do?

This is called floaters and its different 4rm glaucoma.what happens is that vitreous cells that died off re responsible for the cobweb like image.other people may also report this as seeing worm like structures or other funny objects.This is rily not a problem as it can resolve on its own.There is little problem if this keeps recurring and immediate step must be carried out by visiting an eye clinic,so as to rule out retina tear which can really cause blindness..If Ŋ retinal tear or retinal detachment,there is really Ŋ problem to worry about..but since its been occurring since 1994,always visit Чυя eye doctor so as to always check Чυя eyes cos retinal detachment is imminent!

Victoriousvic: The funny thing about Glaucoma is that you won't know it's there. No symptoms like pain or anything whatsoever.

U̶̲̥̅̊ re rite..dats y we in d eyecare profession calls it SILENT THIEF OF SIGHT..only normal routine eye check can really help 2 discover its present and the necessary medical step should be taken without delay..Even in the western world,its also a leading cause of blindness,showing that it is not only restricted to 3rd world countries

henrychubayo: Very Educative. But my question is where can one visit to have his/her eyes tested. We know that most Nigerian hospitals don't have the facilities or equipments to carry out the test. So do you mind telling us the specific hospital that run this test and the cost of the test.

U̶̲̥̅̊ can visit any eyeclinic around U̶̲̥̅̊,or any of the hospitals offering eycare services including teaching hospitals and General hospitals

Victoriousvic:
Federal hospitals are there. I did mine at UCTH here in Calabar, and I was diagnosed with it. I'm currently using eye drops every night.

Pls always make sure U̶̲̥̅̊ use Чυя drugs on daily basis n always visit the eye centre regularly,so as to know if the drugs is really helping in bringing down the pressure of the eye.Also advise Чυя brother and sisters and other family members to G̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̝̇̇̇ for a glaucoma screening test,since it is something that runs in the family

...

dr steroid:
Pls always make sure U̶̲̥̅̊ use Чυя drugs on daily basis n always visit the eye centre regularly,so as to know if the drugs is really helping in bringing down the pressure of the eye.Also advise Чυя brother and sisters and other family members to G̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̝̇̇̇ for a glaucoma screening test,since it is something that runs in the family

Do you know marijuana is most effective in reducing the pressure in the eye? But then again maybe you are permitted to suggest pharmaceuticals and not natural/alternative treatments. Nice thread...relevant and very informative.

Originalsly: Do you know marijuana is most effective in reducing the pressure in the eye? But then again maybe you are permitted to suggest pharmaceuticals and not natural/alternative treatments. Nice thread...relevant and very informative.

I wil say U̶̲̥̅̊ re right to some extent,but we all Ŋ the implication of this.the nicotinic content of marijuana tends 2 lower IOP..but d devastating effect of marijuana to d brain and our lungs can't be over emphasised..orthodox medication is stil d right medication with little or Ŋ side effects

dr steroid:
I wil say U̶̲̥̅̊ re right to some extent,but we all Ŋ the implication of this.the nicotinic content of marijuana tends 2 lower IOP..but d devastating effect of marijuana to d brain and our lungs can't be over emphasised..orthodox medication is stil d right medication with little or Ŋ side effects

Devastating effect of marijuana on the brain?....tell me more...taking into consideration it is used moderately as a medicine. Any substance not used in moderation would have adverse effects...and I'm pretty sure whatever you recommend would be more devastating than marijuana if also abused.

Victoriousvic:
Federal hospitals are there. I did mine at UCTH here in Calabar, and I was diagnosed with it. I'm currently using eye drops every night.

May I ask what eye drop you'r using?

Victoriousvic:
Xalacom

oki

I was diagnosed with glaucoma last year, though d Dr. said he was not sure exactly what it was, as i have been to the state hospital 3times. Doctors in d house cud u pls suggest an eye drop for me as the Timoptol am using seems not to be working.

Blackchampion: I was diagnosed with glaucoma last year, though d Dr. said he was not sure exactly what it was, as i have been to the state hospital 3times. Doctors in d house cud u pls suggest an eye drop for me as the Timoptol am using seems not to be working.

pls try go 2 another clinic and carry out proper and comprehensive test..b4 u can be diagnosed of having glaucoma,dat means u must be having increase intra ocular pressure,or in rare case normal intra ocular pressure..u must also be having cupped optic disc and constricted visual field.until these 3tests have been carried out and d patient failing 2 or 3 of these tests,then the patient can be diagnose of having glaucoma...most people and some eye doctors mistakes high pressure of the eye with glaucoma.