• 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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Heart Health Screening Tests in India: The Key to Early Detection and Longer Life

Heart Health Screening Tests in India: The Key to Early Detection and Longer Life

Heart disease is one of India’s leading causes of death, contributing to a rapidly rising burden of cardiovascular disorders. According to ICMR and Lancet studies, Indians experience heart attacks nearly a decade earlier than global averages. Sedentary lifestyles, high stress, poor dietary patterns, rising diabetes rates and limited early testing contribute significantly to this trend.

Heart health screening tests play a crucial role in identifying risk early so people can begin preventive care before symptoms appear. SecondMedic provides expert-backed screening support, report interpretation and personalised heart health planning.

 

Why Heart Screening Matters in India

1. High prevalence of silent heart disease

Many individuals experience no symptoms until a major event occurs. Risk markers such as cholesterol imbalance, inflammation or high blood pressure often go unnoticed without testing.

2. Increasing lifestyle risk factors

ICMR and NFHS-5 data show:

  • 28% of Indian adults have hypertension

  • 25% have high cholesterol

  • Over 100 million Indians have diabetes

  • Over 74% are physically inactive
     

These factors significantly increase cardiac risk.

3. Younger age of onset

Indians are developing heart disease between ages 35-55, much earlier than Western populations.

4. Early detection saves lives

WHO and NITI Aayog emphasise that regular screenings reduce heart attack risk by enabling timely lifestyle and medical interventions.

 

Essential Heart Health Screening Tests

1. Blood Pressure Test

High BP damages arteries silently. Regular checks help detect hypertension early.

2. Lipid Profile

Measures:

  • LDL (bad cholesterol)

  • HDL (good cholesterol)

  • Total cholesterol

  • Triglycerides
     

Imbalance indicates arterial plaque risk.

3. Fasting Blood Sugar / HbA1c

Diabetes significantly increases heart disease risk.
HbA1c shows long-term sugar control.

4. ECG (Electrocardiogram)

Identifies rhythm abnormalities, previous silent attacks and electrical disturbances.

5. Echocardiogram (ECHO)

Ultrasound imaging that evaluates:

  • Valve function

  • Heart pumping strength

  • Structural abnormalities
     

6. TMT (Treadmill Test)

Assesses how the heart responds to physical stress. Detects blockages indirectly.

7. hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)

Indicates inflammation-a major risk factor for heart attack.

8. Coronary Calcium Score (CT Scan)

For individuals with family history or high risk; detects early artery calcification.

 

Who Should Get Heart Screenings?

Age-based

  • Adults 30+ (baseline screening)

  • Adults 40+ (annual screening)

  • Earlier for those with risk factors
     

Condition-based

  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Thyroid disease

  • Obesity

  • PCOS
     

Family history

Strong family history of heart disease requires earlier and more frequent testing.

 

How Heart Screening Helps Prevent Complications

1. Detects risk early

Identifies abnormalities before they become dangerous.

2. Helps tailor lifestyle changes

Doctors personalise:

  • diet

  • physical activity

  • weight management

  • stress reduction
     

3. Improves medication planning

Correct treatment reduces long-term damage.

4. Prevents heart attacks and strokes

Studies show early screening reduces risk by up to 40%.

 

How SecondMedic Supports Heart Health

• Interprets screening results clearly

Patients receive easy-to-understand explanations.

• AI Health Guide patterns

AI identifies:

  • unusual trends

  • inflammatory risk

  • cholesterol patterns

  • early signs of metabolic syndrome
     

• Personalised heart protection plan

Includes:

  • nutrition guidance

  • exercise plan

  • stress management

  • sleep hygiene
     

• Consultation with cardiologists

For advanced cases or concerning results.

• Ongoing monitoring

Helps track improvement over time.

 

Conclusion

Heart health screening tests empower individuals across India to take control of their wellbeing. As heart disease continues to rise, early detection remains the most powerful tool in preventing complications. SecondMedic’s combination of expert evaluation and AI-guided insights ensures that every patient receives personalised, accurate and actionable heart care.

 

References

• ICMR - Cardiovascular Disease Burden in India
• NFHS-5 - India Blood Pressure & Diabetes Data
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Health & Screening Framework
• WHO - Heart Disease Prevention Guidelines
• Lancet - Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South Asians
• Statista India - Heart Health & Lifestyle Trends
• EY-FICCI - Preventive Health & Screening Adoption Report

See all

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