Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which fluid builds up in the eye, creating high eye pressure. The optic nerve, which sends information from the eye to the brain, can be damaged by this eye disease.
However, glaucoma can still happen even if the pressure in the eye is normal. Patients can have it and not feel any symptoms that is why it is important to have your eyes examined regularly.
This disease can be passed down from parents to children because it is often inherited. Since there are no early warning signs, you might not notice a change in your eyesight until the later stages. Early detection slows or stops vision loss. If you don’t get treatment, you could lose your side vision, central vision or even go blind.
Types of Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma
The common type of glaucoma. The trabecular meshwork, which is your eye’s drainage system, looks fine, but the fluid isn’t draining properly.
Angle-closure glaucoma
A bulging iris causes this type of glaucoma. If the iris bulges, it can block the drainage angle in part or whole. If the fluid can’t move through the eye, pressure builds up.
Secondary glaucoma
This happens when something like cataracts or diabetes raises the pressure in your eyes.
Normal-tension glaucoma
This type happens when your eye pressure is normal, but you have blind spots or damage to your optic nerve. It could be sensitive or have decreased blood flow. Fatty buildup in the arteries or other health problems could slow blood flow.
Pigmentary glaucoma
Small pigment from your iris seeps into the eye fluid and blocks the drainage channels.
Symptoms
Glaucoma has no early symptoms. You could lose your sight over time. Usually, your side (peripheral) vision is the first thing to go, especially the part of your vision that is closest to your nose. Because it happens so slowly, many people can’t tell at first that their vision is changing.
But as the condition worsens, you will notice that you can no longer see things to the side.
Treatment
Eye drops
Glaucoma may be treated with a variety of prescription eye drops. Some people improve drainage while decreasing fluids to lower pressure. You may need to take daily eye drops for the rest of your life since it is chronic condition. They may need to be applied more than once a day.
Laser Treatment
Your eye doctor uses a laser to enhanec fluid outflow from your eye. In addition to eye drops, your eye specialist might suggest that you use lasers as a first-line treatment. Receiving laser therapy won’t replace using eye drops. The effects of laser treatment vary, although they can sometimes last for years. Some laser treatments could be repeatable by your eye doctor.
Surgical
Another method to lower eye pressure is through surgery. Compared to eye drops or lasers, this method is more invasive, but it works much faster an better to contro eye pressure. Surgery may delay further vision loss, but it cannot treat or cure glaucoma. Your eye doctor may choose surgery over another based on the kind and severity if your condition.
Prevention
- It can be found early through regular eye exams before it does any damage.
- It is genetic. If you have a history of eye problems in your family, your eye doctor may require more frequent screening.
- Glaucoma eye drops reduce the chance of high eye pressure developing into glaucoma. Even without symptoms, use eye drops as prescribed.
Visiting your eye doctor and receiving primary eye care could protect you from glaucoma and other eye problems. Schedule your eye exam at the Walmart Vision Center Crystal Lake, IL or Walmart Vision Center, Harvard, IL.
Call us:
Walmart Vision Center Crystal Lake, IL
815-477-4053
Walmart Vision Center Harvard, IL
815-943-4331
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info@drjeffreyporter.com
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