What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to your optic nerve. It’s caused by high pressure in the eye and is a leading cause of blindness.
While glaucoma can occur at any age, it’s more common in older adults. Effects from glaucoma often appear gradually with no warning signs, as symptoms may only be present in advanced stages.
Routine eye exams are important to screen for glaucoma, as vision loss associated with glaucoma isn’t reversible.
When treated early glaucoma-related vision problems are usually preventable. Classic Vision Care optometrists screen for glaucoma and help you properly manage the disease.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
In the early stages of glaucoma you might not experience symptoms, but as the disease progresses you may notice:
- Tunnel vision
- Patchy blind spots
- Severe headaches
- Blurred vision
- Eye redness
- Eye pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Halos around lights
Glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness if left untreated. Routine eye exams help detect glaucoma before serious symptoms occur.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
Anybody can develop glaucoma but the following risk factors are associated with the disease:
- Having diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
- Extreme nearsighted or farsightedness
- Being over age 60
- Having a family history of glaucoma
- Being of Hispanic, African American, or Asian American descent
- Past eye injuries or surgeries
- Long term use of certain eye drops or other medications
See your optometrist for routine dilated eye exams to detect glaucoma in its early stages before severe eye damage occurs, especially if you have one or more risk factors for the disease.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
To diagnose glaucoma your optometrist reviews your medical history and completes a comprehensive eye exam. They utilize numerous eye tests including those that measure intraocular pressure and dilated eye exams to evaluate optic nerve damage.
Your provider might also use imaging and visual field tests and measure corneal thickness to make a diagnosis.
What is the treatment for glaucoma?
The treatment for glaucoma may include one or more of the following:
- Eye drops
- Oral medications
- Laser therapy
- Other eye surgeries
If you require eye surgery, your Classic Vision Care specialist refers you to a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.
Ways to help control high eye pressure associated with glaucoma include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting caffeine, sleeping with your head elevated, and taking medications as prescribed by your eye care professional.
To lower your risk of blindness caused by glaucoma, schedule an eye exam with Classic Vision Care over the phone or online today.
