Glaucoma
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s
optic nerve, resulting in loss of vision and blindness if left untreated.
Although many factors influence the onset of glaucoma, it is most often
attributed to rising fluid pressure levels inside the eye. If glaucoma is
detected early in an eye exam, it can be treated. Make sure you talk to
your certified eye care specialist if it’s been awhile since your last examination.
Increased fluid pressure in the eyes signals you are at
risk for glaucoma, but it does not automatically indicate the presence of the
disease. Once the optic nerve, the essential link between the eye and the
brain, is damaged by high fluid pressure, a persona has glaucoma. Not everyone who
experiences high fluid pressure in their eyes will develop glaucoma. Some
people can tolerate higher pressures, while others are more vulnerable to optic
nerve damage.
Who
Is At Risk For Glaucoma?
Strictly speaking, anyone can develop glaucoma.
However, people that meet certain criteria do have a higher risk of developing
the condition. These at-risk demographics include:
- Anyone with a
family history of developing glaucoma
- People over
the age of 60, especially Mexican-Americans
- African
Americans over the age of 40
African Americans are much more likely to develop
glaucoma than Caucasians, and seem to be more susceptible to the damaging
effects of the disease. Research has shown that not only are African Americans
five times more likely than Caucasians to develop glaucoma, but they are also four
times more likely to suffer partial or total blindness as a result of the
disease.
How
Can Glaucoma Be Prevented?
In many cases, there are no symptoms and no obvious
pain associated with the onset of glaucoma. This is why it is essential that
you schedule regular eye examinations with your local eye care professional.
These comprehensive checkups can identify glaucoma even when no obvious
symptoms are present.
As the disease progresses, peripheral sight begins to
fail. This makes it harder to see objects off to the side, and some objects in
the corner of the eye may be missed entirely. Once peripheral vision has
degraded, straight-ahead vision begins to deteriorate as well. If left
untreated, blindness can occur. If you are experiencing any loss of peripheral
vision, call a certified eye care specialist right away to make an appointment.
Can
Glaucoma Be Treated?
Luckily, glaucoma is a treatable and preventable
disease. If it is caught in the early stages of development, you stand a good
chance of avoiding serious optic nerve damage that may lead to vision loss. The
common methods used to treat glaucoma include medicines, laser treatments,
surgery, or a combination of these options.
- Medicine.
Glaucoma medicines in the form of eye drops or pills are the most common
way to treat the disease in its early stages. Some medicines counteract
the disease by reducing the amount of eye fluid produced, while others
help to drain fluid from the eye to reduce pressure. Make sure you inform
your eye care specialist about any other medications you may be taking to
avoid unwanted drug interactions. Remember, even if you aren’t
experiencing symptoms or discomfort, continue to take the medicine you’ve
been prescribed!
- Laser
treatment. The laser treatment used to treat
glaucoma is called laser trabeculoplasty. Lasers make small incisions in
the eye that allow the fluid to drain adequately and evenly. Once the
treatment is complete, your doctor may prescribe medicines to supplement
the effects of the procedure. Keep in mind that the benefits may wear off
over time, requiring new methods of treatment.
- Surgery.
If medicines and laser trabeculoplasty have failed to reduce the fluid
pressure in your eye, your eye specialist may recommend conventional
surgery. During this procedure, a new opening is made for eye fluid to
drain properly. This effective treatment has an impressive 60-80% success
rate.
As always, talk to your eye care specialist about which
treatment is the best for you.
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