In 2018, “I was diagnosed with glaucoma four months ago” says Issah Salamatu.
Like the windows of buildings being the avenue to see the environment, the eye is termed the window of our soul. The adventure, beauty, charm and splendour of our world is appreciated by the eye.
This is true but sadly 39 million are blind. Out of these, glaucoma is second to cataract as the commonest culprit of blindness worldwide accounting for 4.5 million blind cases according to the World Health Organization. Glaucoma stands tall as the chief cause of irreversible blindness globally.
Africa has the majority of glaucoma cases with Ghana topping the chat followed by St. Lucia closely. Historians believe that St. Lucia was the final destination of some blacks (of Ghanaian origin) after the transatlantic slave trade in the 17th century. Ghanaian descents and the black race are at the highest risk.
I recount a story of a young 24yr old lady who reported blinded in both eyes to the ophthalmology department of the Tamale Teaching Hospital a few weeks back due to glaucoma. “I didn’t know I was gradually losing my sight,” she said. Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight. It has an insidious onset culminating into total irreversible blindness if it is not checked.
The second week of March every year is the week set aside as world glaucoma week to raise awareness of this disease because it has become an ailment of public health concern.
Glaucoma is simply ‘hypertension’ of the eye. An increase in intraocular pressure (the pressure inside of the eye) to a level that impairs, compresses and finally, irreparably destroy a component of the optic nerve (the ‘cable’ that connects the back of the eye to the brain) called the ganglion cells, that helps us see. The pressure in the eye is accounted for by the fluid drainage system of the eye; whether there is over-production of the fluid (aqueous fluid), under drainage of the same or both. Unlike a balloon that explodes on being overfilled to relieve pressure, the eye is unable to same but rather exerts pressure on structures of the eye; of notable importance is the optic nerve. In a few cases, the pressure in the eye will be normal.
The cause of glaucoma is not known, however, there are risk factors that increase the chances of acquiring the disease. They can either be modifiable (factors that can be controlled) or non-modifiable (you can barely do anything about them) risk factors. African descent, family history of glaucoma and advanced age (60yrs plus) are non-modifiable while shortsightedness (myopia), smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease and chronic use of unprescribed eyedrops containing steroids are modifiable risk factors.
These steroid containing eye drops are taken by people to relieve longstanding itchiness of their eye but increase the intraocular pressure. This is why you need the advice of a medical practitioner before applying these medicines that are meant not to harm, but overuse may cause problems.
Modulation of the above modifiable risk factors will reduce the likelihood of glaucoma. Individuals with non-modifiable risk factors can help themselves by regular, faithfully and annually going for an eye checkup. The reason being that glaucoma slowly and imperceptibly eats away one’s sight.
Glaucoma is symptomless in most cases up until it is too late to regain lost sight, however, these may be non-specific promptings: recurrent eye pain, nausea and headache, bumping into people or objects unusually, seeing halos or rainbow colours around light sources, persistent or recurrent redness of the eye and tunnel vision ( seeing objects directly facing you but not the objects on the sides). In this glaucoma week, take a quick dash to the ophthalmologist to have your eye checked.
Glaucoma can have a devastating effect on the socio-economic life of victims. A driver named Isaac Adongo is now unemployed because he has lost sight. Even when it is detected before total blindness, the gripping fear of permanent blindness sends waves of depression into victims. Families are rendered poor because breadwinners of their family have glaucoma-associated blindness.
I endeavour to say get tested now. Surprisingly, glaucoma screening is free and covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS) across the country
EARLY DETECTION SAVES YOUR SIGHT.
Glaucoma is irreversible. You cannot gain back the sight loss. It cannot be corrected but can be managed by lifestyle modification and with drugs.
SO GET TESTED NOW!
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Michael Baah Biney is an advocate for healthy practices. His goal is to aid in the advocacy of preventing diseases before complications arise. In his bid to champion healthy living, Michael has volunteered with UNFPA, PPAG among others to share knowledge and mentor young people. He is currently a final year medical student of the University for Development Studies, Tamale and a member of Curious Minds Ghana.
