Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after Cataract. Glaucoma is a condition that damages your eyes optic nerve. It mostly affects adults over 40 years of age but young adults like children and even sometimes infants can have it. Glaucoma has no early symptoms that's why half of people with glaucoma don't even know that they are having it. Hence there is a need to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve our vision. At Medicircle we are conducting an awareness series on glaucoma with eminent Ophthalmologists for the world glaucoma series to boost awareness and educate people about eye health.

Dr. Rahul Surti is a Vitreo Retina Consultant and Surgeon at Krishna Eye Center Mumbai. He has expertise in vitreo retinal surgical techniques and in management of various Medical Retinal Disorders. Dr. Rahul has published various papers in national and international reviewed journals and has been a faculty at various National Ophthalmology Organizations.

The 20-20-20 Rule for Eyes

Dr. Rahul suggests, “All person more than 40 years should visit Ophthalmologist at least once in a year. During this pandemic, screen time has been increased considerably. Everyone is working from home for about 8 to 10 hours a day. So, in order to prevent any eye-related disorder, we should follow certain rules. We can follow the rule of 20-20-20 so whenever you are working on a laptop or computer for more than 20 minutes, set an alarm on your mobile and after 20 minutes take 20 seconds of break and walk and then you should see at a distance more than six meters for 20 seconds. This exercise helps in resting our eyes.”

Problems Arise with Increased Screen Time

Dr. Rahul emphasizes, “Working on a computer for a long time could result two common problems - eye muscles get fatigued and dryness of eyes. Continuous working on the laptop could strain your eyes. So, after working 20 minutes on a laptop, take a break for 20 sec look at some distance from the window, and then close your eyes for another 20 seconds. This is how we can settle down eye problem.”

Reducing the Eye Pressure

Dr. Rahul explains, “There are two ways of reducing your eye pressure. First is using the drop, we can reduce our eye pressure by putting drops and the second way is surgery. But surgery is only done when the eye drops are not working for the patient. After using eye drops, if the pressure is not coming under control then surgery is the only option left.”

Myth Regarding Glaucoma

Dr. Rahul says, “Study has proven that there is no such food which can increase your eye pressure or responsible for Glaucoma. People are having a myth that eating certain juicy fruits or food rich in sodium or potassium can increase eye pressure.”

Importance of Putting Drops

Dr. Rahul clarifies, “Glaucoma is just like Diabetes and blood pressure. Once you get diabetes and BP, you must take medicine throughout your life. Similarly, with Glaucoma, it will never go in your life. If the patient has been diagnosed at an early stage, cure and treatment are possible but if a patient comes in the last stage, then there is no cure. If a patient comes in its early stage, it can be very well controlled. It can get controlled with the help of eye drops. Eye drops are easily available in the market. If a patient stops administering drops, it can result in total blindness.  So, one has to continue administering drops throughout their life for a stable condition. Other treatment such as a laser which is also found to be beneficial for the patients.”

(Edited by - Renu Gupta)