Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
Kerala
Glaucoma rarely announces itself. There’s no pain, no redness and no blur in the early stages. It quietly damages the optic nerve, starting with your side vision, and by the time most people notice something is wrong, a large part of their vision may already be gone. That vision can’t be brought back.
Kerala has the highest share of senior citizens of any Indian state, and age is one of the biggest risk factors for glaucoma. That makes regular screening, and timely glaucoma treatment in Kochi and across Kerala, more important than ever.
What Is Glaucoma?
- A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which carries images from the eye to the brain
- Often, but not always, linked to high pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
- Damage is gradual and usually begins with side (peripheral) vision
- Vision lost to glaucoma is permanent, but treatment can stop or slow further damage
- It’s one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide
Why Kerala’s Ageing Population Is at Higher Risk
- Kerala has a higher proportion of people above 60 than any other state in India
- Glaucoma risk rises after 40 and climbs further after 60
- Diabetes and high blood pressure, both common in Kerala, add to the risk
- A large number of people with glaucoma in India don’t know they have it
- Many older adults assume weakening vision is “just age” and skip eye checkups
Types of Glaucoma
Type | What Happens | Symptoms |
| Primary open-angle glaucoma | The eye’s drainage channel slowly becomes less efficient, and pressure rises gradually | None early on; slow loss of side vision |
| Angle-closure glaucoma | The drainage angle is narrow or blocked; can be sudden (acute) or gradual (chronic) | Acute: severe eye pain, headache, red eye, nausea, halos. Chronic: often none |
| Normal-tension glaucoma | Optic nerve damage happens even though eye pressure is normal | None early on |
| Secondary glaucoma | Caused by another condition, such as injury, steroid use, diabetes, inflammation or a mature cataract | Varies with the cause |
| Childhood (congenital) glaucoma | Present at birth or in early childhood | Enlarged or cloudy eyes, watering, light sensitivity |
Who Should Get Screened Regularly?
Risk Factor | Why It Matters |
| Age above 40 | Risk increases steadily with age |
| Family history of glaucoma | Close relatives of patients have a much higher risk |
| Diabetes or high blood pressure | Can affect blood flow to the optic nerve |
| High minus or high plus power | Linked to open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma respectively |
| Long-term steroid use (drops, inhalers or tablets) | Can raise eye pressure |
| Past eye injury or surgery | Can damage the eye’s drainage system |
| High eye pressure or a thin cornea | Known warning markers on eye tests |
How Glaucoma Is Detected: Key Screening Tests
Test | What It Checks |
| Tonometry | Pressure inside the eye |
| Gonioscopy | Whether the drainage angle is open, narrow or closed |
| Optic nerve exam | Signs of nerve damage, such as “cupping” |
| OCT scan | Thickness of the nerve fibre layer, to catch early damage |
| Visual field test (perimetry) | Any loss of side vision |
| Pachymetry | Corneal thickness, which helps interpret pressure readings |
These tests are painless and can usually be completed in a single visit.
Glaucoma Treatment in Kochi: Your Options
Treatment | How It Works | When It’s Used |
| Eye drops | Lower eye pressure by reducing fluid production or improving drainage | First line of treatment for most patients |
| SLT laser (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) | Improves fluid drainage in open-angle glaucoma | As an alternative or addition to eye drops |
| Laser peripheral iridotomy | Makes a tiny opening in the iris to relieve angle closure | Narrow-angle and angle-closure glaucoma |
| Trabeculectomy | Creates a new drainage pathway for fluid | When drops and laser aren’t enough |
| Glaucoma drainage devices | A small tube helps fluid drain out of the eye | Complex or advanced cases |
| MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) | Small-incision procedures, often combined with cataract surgery | Mild to moderate glaucoma in selected patients |
Every treatment has the same goal: protect the vision you still have by bringing eye pressure down to a safe level.
How Often Should You Get Screened?
| Age / Risk Group | Suggested Screening Frequency |
| Under 40 with risk factors | As advised by your eye doctor |
| 40 to 60 years | Every 1–2 years |
| Above 60 years | Every year |
| Glaucoma suspects or high-risk patients | Every 6–12 months, or as advised |
Living With Glaucoma: Practical Tips
- Use your eye drops at the same time every day, and never stop them without your doctor’s advice
- If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between them
- Keep every follow-up appointment, because glaucoma needs lifelong monitoring
- Tell other doctors you have glaucoma, especially before any steroid is prescribed
- Encourage parents, siblings and children to get screened
- Stay active, but check with your doctor before doing head-down yoga poses
Why Choose The Eye Foundation for Glaucoma Treatment in Kochi
The Eye Foundation’s NABH-accredited hospital at Edappally brings complete glaucoma care under one roof:
- Dedicated glaucoma specialists
- Advanced diagnostics, including OCT and automated visual field testing
- The full range of medical, laser and surgical treatment
- Long-term monitoring and structured follow-up care
Book your glaucoma screening at The Eye Foundation, Edappally, Kochi today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can glaucoma be cured?
Glaucoma can’t be cured, and lost vision can’t be restored. But with early diagnosis and regular treatment, most people keep useful vision for life.
2. Does glaucoma have any early symptoms?
Most types don’t. That’s why it’s called the “silent thief of sight”, and why regular screening after 40 matters so much.
3. Is glaucoma hereditary?
Family history is a major risk factor. If a parent or sibling has glaucoma, get your eyes checked regularly.
4. Where can I get glaucoma treatment in Kochi?
The Eye Foundation, Edappally offers complete glaucoma screening, diagnosis and glaucoma treatment in Kochi, from eye drops and laser to advanced surgery.
