• Published on: May 04, 2022
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Glaucoma Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

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Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve. The optic nerve carries information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma can cause vision loss and blindness. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. There are no early warning signs of glaucoma. It may take years for vision loss to occur. The only way to prevent blindness from glaucoma is to get regular eye exams and treat it early.

Glaucoma is diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam that includes a test for your visual field, which measures your side vision. Treatment for glaucoma depends on the type and severity of disease. Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve. This damage results in a gradual loss of vision, typically leading to blindness. While the cause of glaucoma is not completely understood, it is known that the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) plays a role in its development.

High intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve by causing fluid to build up and pushing against the optic nerve fibers. The high pressure can also damage the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina), which can lead to vision loss. Glaucoma can be diagnosed through a comprehensive dilated eye exam, which includes an evaluation of your visual field and measurement of your intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. It can lead to blindness. The most common type is primary open-angle glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma, in which the angle between the iris and cornea closes up, is another type. Most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include blurred vision, halos around lights, eye pain or redness, headaches, and nausea. Often by the time these symptoms develop it is too late for treatment to save vision.

Glaucoma  can cause permanent vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma often has no early warning signs, so it's important to get regular eye exams. The main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It develops slowly over many years and usually has no symptoms in the early stages. Angle-closure glaucoma is a less common type of glaucoma that can cause a sudden increase in eye pressure.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness. It is caused by damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the eye to the brain. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which is not caused by an injury or an infection. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly over time. The other main type of glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma, which can develop quickly and cause a sudden increase in pressure inside the eye. This pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss and blindness

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. The optic nerve carries visual images from the eye to the brain. Most people with glaucoma don’t know they have it because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages. Vision loss can occur gradually and may not be noticed until significant damage has occurred. There are several types of glaucoma, but the most common type is open-angle glaucoma. Treatment for glaucoma depends on the type and severity of the disease. Options include eyedrops, laser therapy, or surgery.

Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which transmits images from the eye to the brain. Most people with glaucoma don't notice any early symptoms. That's why it's important for people at risk for glaucoma—such as those with a family history of the disease or African Americans over age 40—to get regular eye exams. The only way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is to diagnose it early and start treatment immediately. Treatment may include prescription eye drops or surgery.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a silent thief because often there are no symptoms until significant vision damage has occurred. Most people with glaucoma don't know they have it until they have lost some vision. Vision loss from glaucoma can be gradual or sudden, but it almost always occurs over time. Early in the disease, you may not notice any changes at all in your vision.

Glaucoma can cause vision loss and blindness. The damage is usually due to an increase in pressure in the eye, which is called intraocular pressure (IOP). Most people with glaucoma don't have any symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Symptoms may include a gradual loss of peripheral vision, difficulty seeing at night, a change in pupil size or color, and red eyes.

If you have any of these symptoms, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Untreated glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss within a few years.

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to vision loss. It's often caused by an increase in pressure within the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). Some common symptoms of glaucoma include: a feeling of pressure in the eyes, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. Glaucoma can be diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam that includes measuring IOP and checking for signs of optic nerve damage. Treatment for glaucoma depends on the severity of the condition and may include medication to reduce IOP, laser treatment, or surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to preserving vision.

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Pale skin

Pale Skin Symptoms: Causes, Health Conditions, and When to Seek Medical Care

Skin colour provides important clues about internal health. When the skin becomes noticeably lighter than usual, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Pale skin symptoms, also referred to as pallor, are commonly associated with reduced blood flow, low hemoglobin levels or impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.

In India, pale skin is frequently linked to anemia, nutritional deficiencies and chronic illnesses, making early recognition essential.

 

What Is Pale Skin?

Pale skin refers to:

  • lighter-than-normal skin tone

  • reduced redness

  • pale appearance of lips, gums or nail beds

It can affect the entire body or specific areas such as the face or hands.

Common Pale Skin Symptoms

Typical signs include:

  • pale face or complexion

  • pale lips or tongue

  • light-colored gums

  • pale nail beds

  • cold hands and feet

  • fatigue and weakness

These symptoms often occur together.

 

Most Common Causes of Pale Skin

Anemia

Anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels are low.

This reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing:

  • pale skin

  • fatigue

  • breathlessness

  • dizziness

NFHS-5 reports anemia affects a large proportion of Indian adults, especially women.

 

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia.

Contributing factors include:

  • poor dietary intake

  • blood loss

  • absorption problems

ICMR identifies iron deficiency as a major public health issue.

 

Poor Blood Circulation

Reduced circulation causes:

  • less blood reaching the skin

  • visible pallor

Conditions such as heart disease or shock impair circulation.

 

Acute Blood Loss

Sudden blood loss from:

  • injury

  • gastrointestinal bleeding

  • heavy menstrual bleeding

can cause rapid pallor and weakness.

 

Chronic Diseases

Chronic illnesses such as:

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • cancer

often cause anemia and pallor over time.

 

Infections and Inflammation

Severe infections cause:

  • blood vessel constriction

  • redistribution of blood flow

This leads to pale or clammy skin.

 

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies of:

  • vitamin B12

  • folate

affect red blood cell production and cause pallor.

 

Hormonal Imbalance

Conditions like hypothyroidism reduce metabolic activity, causing:

  • pale, dry skin

  • fatigue

Thyroid disorders are common but underdiagnosed.

 

Genetic Conditions

Inherited disorders such as thalassemia affect hemoglobin production, leading to chronic pallor.

 

Pale Skin in Children and Older Adults

Children:

  • may develop pallor due to iron deficiency or infections

Older adults:

  • often develop pallor due to chronic disease or nutritional deficiency

Both groups need careful evaluation.

 

Warning Signs That Need Immediate Medical Attention

Seek urgent care if pale skin is associated with:

  • sudden weakness

  • chest pain

  • breathlessness

  • fainting

  • rapid heartbeat

These may indicate serious medical emergencies.

 

How Pale Skin Affects Daily Life

Persistent pallor often causes:

  • low energy

  • reduced physical endurance

  • difficulty concentrating

Quality of life may decline without treatment.

 

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors may recommend:

  • complete blood count

  • iron studies

  • vitamin B12 and folate levels

  • kidney and liver function tests

Identifying the cause is critical for treatment.

 

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screening helps detect:

  • early anemia

  • nutritional deficiencies

  • chronic disease

Early treatment prevents complications.

 

Management and Treatment Options

Treatment depends on cause and may include:

  • iron or vitamin supplementation

  • treatment of underlying disease

  • dietary correction

  • medical therapy for chronic conditions

Self-treatment without diagnosis should be avoided.

 

Lifestyle Measures to Prevent Pallor

Helpful strategies include:

  • balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins

  • adequate hydration

  • regular health monitoring

  • treating infections early

Lifestyle changes support long-term health.

 

Importance of Early Detection

Ignoring pale skin delays diagnosis of:

  • anemia

  • internal bleeding

  • chronic illness

Early recognition improves outcomes.

 

Conclusion

Pale skin symptoms are more than a cosmetic concern. They often signal anemia, poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies or underlying medical conditions. While temporary pallor may occur due to minor causes, persistent or sudden pale skin requires medical evaluation. Early diagnosis, preventive health screening and appropriate treatment can restore normal skin tone, improve energy levels and protect long-term health.

 

References

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Anemia and Nutritional Deficiency Reports

  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Adult Health Data

  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Anemia and Circulatory Health

  • Lancet – Pallor, Anemia and Chronic Disease Research

  • NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Early Symptom Detection

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