Glaucoma Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

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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Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Kids: Recognizing, Preventing & Overcoming “Hidden Hunger”

Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy — tall, strong, smart, and full of energy. But in India, many kids suffer from what is known as “hidden hunger.” It means that even though they are eating, their diet lacks essential nutrients. These nutritional deficiencies can affect growth, learning, immunity, and long-term health. In this blog, we’ll explore the major nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids, what causes them, how to detect them, and what parents can do. Let’s dive into nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids.

What Are the Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies?

Based on recent research and national surveys, the following are among the most widespread deficiencies in Indian children:

Iron Deficiency / Anaemia
A large percentage of Indian kids (especially under-5s) have low hemoglobin and low iron stores. Anaemia can cause tiredness, slow cognitive development, and lowered immunity. Lippincott Journals+2PMC+2
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A is essential for good vision, immunity, and healthy cells. Many children under 5 show sub-clinical deficiency; some show clinical signs like night blindness. Lippincott Journals+1
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production, which affects brain development. Lack of iodine can lead to goitre, delayed mental development, and poor school performance. Lippincott Journals+2thyrocare.com+2
Vitamin D Deficiency
Even though India is sunny, many children have low vitamin D — due to indoor living, limited sun exposure, skin coverage, or dietary gaps. This impacts bone health, growth, and risks rickets. PMC+1
Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
In poorer or marginalized communities, children may not get enough protein or calories. This leads to underweight, wasting, stunting, and weakened immunity. Lippincott Journals+2HDFC ERGO+2
Other Micronutrients (Vitamin B12, folate, zinc etc.)
Deficiencies in B12 & folate can affect cell division, blood production, nerve function; zinc deficiency weakens immunity & slows growth. PMC+2nanhedil.com+2

Why Do These Deficiencies Happen?

Understanding the causes helps in prevention:

Dietary Factors
Many diets are heavy in cereals or starches but low in diversity. Meals may lack fruits, vegetables, animal-source foods (meat, eggs, fish) or fortified products.
Bioavailability of Nutrients
Even when foods contain nutrients, they may not be absorbed well. For example, plant-based iron is less readily absorbed, phytates in grains and legumes can reduce absorption.
Socioeconomic Constraints
Poverty, food insecurity, access issues, lack of awareness, and sometimes traditional/cultural food beliefs limit access to nutrient-rich foods.
Living Conditions and Health
Frequent infections, parasitic infestations, poor hygiene, etc., can increase nutrient loss or demand. Also sunlight exposure (important for vitamin D) is inadequate in many cases.
Gaps in Implementation of Prevention Programs
Though India has multiple programs (fortification, supplement distribution, ICDS, National Nutrition Mission etc.), challenges remain in reach, compliance, quality, and behavioural change.

Effects of Nutritional Deficiencies

These deficiencies have short-term and long-term effects:

Growth stunting (children don’t reach their full height potential)
Wasting (low weight for height), underweight
Impaired cognitive development & learning difficulties
Weak immune system ? more infections
Delayed motor skills, poor school performance
Bone deformities (rickets, weak bones)
Poor quality of life; in severe cases, increased mortality

How to Detect & Diagnose Early

Taking action early helps avoid permanent harm. Key strategies include:

Regular growth monitoring: Checking weight, height, BMI for age
Look for signs: Pale skin or lips, tiredness, delayed milestones, frequent illness, bone pain or deformities (knees bowing, wrist/ankle enlargement)
Lab tests:
- Haemoglobin & complete blood count
- Serum ferritin for iron stores
- Serum levels for vitamin A (retinol)
- 25-OH vitamin D test
- Serum B12, folate
- Urinary iodine excretion or salt iodine test
- Protein / albumin levels

Using broad vitamin profiles (like those from Thyrocare) can help screen for multiple deficiencies in one go.

Foods, Diet & Prevention: What Parents / Caregivers Can Do

Here are practical steps parents can take:

Diversify diet: Include pulses, legumes, eggs, dairy, meat (if non-vegetarian), fish; plenty of green leafy vegetables & fruits.
Fortified foods: Use iodised salt; choose cereals / milk products fortified with vitamins & iron.
Sunlight exposure: Encourage outdoor activities; even short daily sun exposure (face, arms) helps vitamin D.
Supplementation when needed: Under doctor guidance, provide vitamin A doses, iron/folic acid, vitamin D etc., especially in high-risk children.
Hygiene & health care: Prevent worm infections, diarrhoea etc. which can drain nutrients. Ensure vaccinations.
Education & awareness: Teach families importance of nutrition, balanced meals, what local foods can provide what nutrients.

What Parents Should Ask Healthcare Providers

Ask whether your child needs screening for deficiencies (e.g., iron, vitamin A, D, B12).
If lab tests are suggested, check whether it’s comprehensive or narrow, cost, and follow-up.
Seek help for dietary planning, perhaps from nutritionists or public health bodies.
Learn about local government/NGO programs—free or subsidized supplementation or fortified food programs.

When to Seek Medical Help

If your child has:

Persistent anaemia symptoms (very pale, lethargic)
Growth issues (falling off growth charts)
Bone deformities or pain
Severe or recurrent infections
Unusual signs like night blindness, goitre

Then get a medical evaluation. Early intervention can make a big difference.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids are common—but many are preventable or treatable. By recognizing risks, ensuring good diet, doing appropriate lab tests, and using supplements or fortified foods when needed, children can grow healthier, smarter, and stronger.

If you’re concerned that your child may have one or more of these deficiencies, talk to a trusted pediatrician or nutritionist, and consider getting a comprehensive vitamin & nutrition profile done (for example through Thyrocare or SecondMedic) to know exactly where improvements are needed. Don’t wait—every child deserves a strong foundation.

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