Imagine losing your vision so slowly that you don’t even notice it happening until it’s too late. You might think your eyesight is fine, perhaps just a little tired from age, but secretly, your peripheral (side) vision is fading away.
This is the terrifying reality of Glaucoma, often called the “Silent Thief of Sight.”
As we enter January, Glaucoma Awareness Month, the team at Mechi Netralaya & Ophthalmic Research Center wants to shine a light on this condition. In Jhapa and across Nepal, thousands are living with undiagnosed glaucoma, putting them at risk of permanent blindness.
Here is everything you need to know to protect yourself and your family.
What is Glaucoma?
Think of your eye like a sink with a faucet always running (producing eye fluid) and a drain to let the fluid out. If the drain gets clogged, the water level rises and creates pressure.
In your eye, if the fluid cannot drain properly, pressure builds up inside the eyeball. This increased pressure pushes against the optic nerve located at the back of your eye.
The optic nerve is like the data cable that connects your eye to your brain. If that pressure damages the “cable,” the images stop going to your brain, resulting in permanent vision loss.
The scary truth: Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.
Why is it called the “Silent Thief”?
This is the most critical part to understand. The most common form of glaucoma (Open-Angle Glaucoma) has virtually no early warning signs.
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No pain.
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No redness.
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No noticeable change in central vision initially.
It starts by attacking your side vision first. Your brain is clever and tricks you by filling in the missing gaps, so you don’t realize your world is shrinking until significant, irreversible damage has occurred.
Note: A less common type (Angle-Closure Glaucoma) is a medical emergency. Symptoms include sudden severe eye pain, headache, blurred vision, and seeing “halos” around lights. If you experience this, rush to the hospital immediately.
Are You at Risk?
Glaucoma can strike anyone, but certain factors increase your risk significantly. You need to be extra careful if you fall into these categories:
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Age: You are over 40 years old (risk increases significantly after 60).
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Family History: Anyone in your immediate family (parents, siblings) has glaucoma. This is a major risk factor.
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Medical Conditions: You have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
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Eye Power: You have high myopia (nearsightedness/high minus power).
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Past Injuries: You have had a significant eye injury in the past.
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Steroid Use: Long-term use of corticosteroid medications (eyedrops, pills, or inhalers).
The Good News: It Can Be Managed!
While glaucoma cannot be cured, and lost vision cannot be brought back, it can be controlled.
If caught early through a comprehensive eye exam, the progression of the disease can be slowed or stopped entirely.
At Mechi Netralaya, we have state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to measure your eye pressure (tonometry) and scan your optic nerve for the earliest signs of damage, long before you notice symptoms.
Treatment usually involves:
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Medicated Eye Drops: To lower eye pressure (most common).
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Laser Treatment: To help the eye drain fluid better.
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Surgery: For more advanced cases.
Your Action Plan for January
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Waiting is the biggest mistake you can make with glaucoma.
This January, make a resolution to protect your sight. If you are over 40, or if you have a family history of eye problems, get screened.
A simple, painless check-up at our center in Kakarvitta can give you peace of mind and potentially save your vision for the rest of your life.
Spread the word. Tell your parents, your aunts, and your uncles to get checked. Let’s work together to stop the “Silent Thief” in Mechinagar.
📍 Visit Us for a Glaucoma Screening
Mechi Netralaya & Ophthalmic Research Center (P) Ltd. Experts you trust, care you deserve.
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Location: Kakarvitta, Bahundangi Road, Mechinagar-6, Jhapa, Nepal
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Phone: +977-23-566358 / 567628
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WhatsApp for Appointments: +977-9862776923
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.mechinetralaya.org
