Glaucoma Information

Glaucoma Information Related Information:

Glaucoma is a condition in which pressures builds up within the eyeball. It is like a sink that is filling up with water with the drain closed. If you place some kind of a flexible cover over the sink, the cover will start to bulge outward. Similarly, this is what happens inside the eyeball— and if left untreated, it can lead to impaired vision or permanent blindness.

Generally, people who have their eyes regularly checked with either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist as part of a routine eye exam get tested for serious eye diseases like glaucoma and others. This is a relatively silent disease that can strike at anytime, and when symptoms are finally detected, for some it may be too late. These are only a couple of the many reasons why it is important to have your eyes checked for glaucoma.

There are two types of glaucoma: acute and chronic. Thankfully, the acute form is rare; but nonetheless if it does occur, you’ll want to seek immediate medical attention to prevent permanent loss of vision. The eye normally discharges a buildup of fluid through a network of tissues called a “drainage angle”. Problems begin when proper drainage within the eyeball does not take place through the drainage angle, which is located between the iris and the cornea. As long as this drainage angle does not function correctly, the pressures will continue to build in the eyeball, and this in turn, will reduce the blood flow to the retina and the optic nerve.

Without nourishment from the blood, fibers of the optic nerve can die. People who have glaucoma will experience dimmed vision, and if left untreated, it can and most often does lead to permanent blindness. This condition is easily treated through the use of a “laser”. A small opening is made in the iris to relieve the pressure and will successfully correct this potentially debilitating disease.

Some of the early symptoms that you’ll want to watch out for are blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, teary eyes, and headaches. In the more serious forms, there can be sudden eye pain, blurred vision, halos of lights, even nausea and vomiting. You can treat glaucoma either with medication (most often in the form of eye drops), surgery, or in some cases, with both. Eye drops and surgery work by helping the fluid to drain from the eye and decreasing the amount of fluid that is produced in the eye.

You should know that glaucoma medications come in different strengths and combinations. Doctors try to use the smallest amount of medication that offers you the best results with the fewest side effects. You’ll need to follow all directions for medications prescribed by your doctor. Generally, you’ll need to take all medications daily, on a regular basis to control the pressure in your eye. Most medications have some side effects. Usually, these side effects decrease after a few weeks.

Other treatments involved in this disease are injections and medications that will help you alleviate the pressure behind your eyeball.

Thankfully, you can treat glaucoma, especially the acute form, and even if that is present, proper immediate treatment will restore normal vision.

In chronic glaucoma, early detection is the only known cure at this time.

If you’re taking medications for asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, or an depression for example, you should regularly schedule an eye exam, given that certain medications can bring on symptoms of this disease. By having you eyes examined regularly, especially if you’re over 40 years of age, you have a better chance of detecting glaucoma before if becomes a serious problem.