What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition where the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain becomes damaged. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to total blindness.

Key facts

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

80 million people globally are suffering from glaucoma

The highest prevalence of Glaucoma is in Africa.

Symptoms

Glaucoma is caused due to fluid building up in the front part of the eye, building up pressure inside the eye.

Some of the symptoms of glaucoma include headaches, blurred vision, tenderness around the eyes and seeing rings of light around the eyes.

Types of glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma and Primary angle closure glaucoma are two of the main types of glaucoma. There are also other types of glaucoma that fall under secondary glaucoma’s and childhood glaucoma.

Primary open angle glaucoma

This type of glaucoma occurs when the eye channels that drain fluid become clogged. This causes increased pressure on the optic nerve in the eye, causing Glaucoma.

Primary angle closure glaucoma

The sudden blockage of a channel that drains fluid in the eye causes Primary angle closure glaucoma. This type of glaucoma requires urgent medication to prevent blindness. Secondary glaucoma includes underlying eye conditions that lead to glaucoma e.g. suffering from uveitis.

Treatment

Treatments include medication, laser, and surgical interventions. However, these treatments do not restore lost vision but prevent further sight loss from occurring.

Our global impact

Since its onset, Al Basar has worked on treating glaucoma for the neediest around the world. To date, we have treated thousands of glaucoma patients globally, ensuring they do not go blind. Patients are diagnosed and treated for glaucoma through our special programmes and eye hospitals. These programmes have been running successfully and ensuring that sight is prevented in vulnerable communities worldwide.