Doctors Say That a Major Risk Factor for Secondary Glaucoma is the Widespread Use of Steroids

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Indian doctors are warning about the use of steroids, which are often unattended since steroids can cause secondary glaucoma, which is a serious threat to vision. If not treated properly, it can lead to permanent blindness. Steroids are commonly used to treat allergies, skin conditions, and lung diseases, but their prolonged use can increase eye pressure significantly. Many people use eye drops available in pharmacies without knowing that they could be damaging their optic nerve. Currently, India has about twelve to thirteen million people suffering from glaucoma, which is one-sixth of the total number of glaucoma patients worldwide. It is estimated that the number of glaucoma patients worldwide will exceed 110 million by the year 2040. Although glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, it is still a significantly underdiagnosed disease in India. What is alarming is that about ninety per cent of glaucoma patients in India remain undiagnosed since the disease is asymptomatic. By the time patients seek medical attention, their optic nerve could already be irreversibly damaged. Dr Samar Sengupta, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Kolkata, stated that Steroid-induced glaucoma is becoming more common, especially in people who use eye drops or steroid drugs without a doctor's supervision. This is risky because, although patients first experience no symptoms, their ocular pressure gradually rises and causes irreversible harm. According to doctors, there has been a significant rise in the number of glaucoma patients diagnosed in the last few years because of the ageing population and the increasing number of diabetes and myopia patients. Advances in diagnostic tools and awareness among the population have also led to a rise in the number of glaucoma patients being detected. What is alarming is the rise in the number of secondary glaucoma patients due to unmonitored and prolonged use of steroids, which is a risk factor that can be prevented with timely medical advice. Although glaucoma is a condition that predominantly affects people above forty years of age, doctors are witnessing a rise in the number of juvenile and early glaucoma patients. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, but steroid-induced glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma are also commonly witnessed in medical practices. It is necessary to debunk myths such as "people with good vision always have healthy eyes" or "people with normal eye pressure do not have glaucoma." People suffering from conditions such as hypertension or thyroid problems, and those who have had eye injuries or have been taking steroids for an extended period, are at a significantly higher risk of glaucoma. Such people should have annual comprehensive screenings to save their vision. Simple vision tests are not sufficient because a comprehensive test should include checks on eye pressure and optic nerve health. Tests should be conducted every one to two years for people above forty years of age to prevent permanent vision loss due to glaucoma.

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