Glaucoma is a condition that affects the eyes’ optic nerves. Over time, glaucoma gets progressively worse due to a buildup of pressure within the eye. Having an adequate awareness of glaucoma is very important to ensuring continuous good eye health. By having a good understanding of its causes and symptoms, it becomes easier to pinpoint preventive measures, as well as the necessary treatments.
To this effect, Eye Health Centres has compiled for you some information about the causes, symptoms, preventive measures, and treatment options regarding glaucoma. You can also visit our website to learn more about our eye care and health services.
Causes of Glaucoma
The main cause of glaucoma is due to an obstruction in the channel that allows a fluid known as the aqueous humor to flow out of the eye. Such a blockage can cause this fluid to accumulate within the eye, thus causing glaucoma and impaired eye health.
Other less common causes include the following:
Eye injuries due to blunt trauma or chemicals
Severe eye infections and inflammations
Blocked blood vessels in the eyes
Rare side effect of corrective eye surgeries
Risk Factors of Glaucoma
There are also risk factors that may increase a person's likelihood of developing this disease, hence the need for proper glaucoma awareness. People who are at a higher risk include the following:
Adults over the age of 40
People with a family history of glaucoma
Patients suffering from pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sickle cell anemia and high eye pressure, among others
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Blurred vision
Throbbing eye pain
Severe headaches on the same side as the affected eye
Nausea and vomiting
Eye redness
Halos around light sources
Gradual loss of side vision
Dilated pupil
Increasing loss of vision
Glaucoma Awareness and Prevention
In most cases, people suffering from glaucoma have no early telltale symptoms or pain. Such symptoms won’t usually develop until later stages of the disease, increasing the risk to the patient’s eye health. This is why it is so important to have proper glaucoma awareness. Also, by visiting your eye doctor regularly, you will be able to take the right steps to prevent the occurrence of glaucoma and reduce the risk of long-term vision loss.
Ready for your next eye exam? Book your appointment with us today!
Learn more about Glaucoma Awareness directly from Dr. Monea
Treatment and Recovery
Early treatment usually consists of the use of medication, including the following:
Glaucoma eyedrops
Oral medication such as beta-blockers or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
For patients suffering from more acute glaucoma, the following surgeries are usually recommended:
Laser surgery, including trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation
Microsurgery, including trabeculectomy
Other minimally invasive surgeries
If you’re suffering from glaucoma and would like to learn more about treatments available to you, feel free to contact us to book an appointment with us. You can also visit our website to learn more about our doctors.
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