Posted by: Associates in Ophthalmology (NJ) in Uncategorized
Often referred to as the silent thief of sight, glaucoma can cause irreversible damage if not caught and treated timely. Have you wondered what you could do to prevent this from happening to your eyesight?
By taking care of your eyes and getting regular eye appointments, you can help to prevent vision loss. Keep reading to learn more about glaucoma and what treatment options are available to you!
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is caused by pressure buildup on the optic nerve inside your eye. Over time this pressure damages your eye resulting in permanent vision loss.
The buildup of fluid inside your eye causes this pressure, which can damage your optic nerve. The optic nerve is the cable that connects your eye to your brain and relays information so you can see.
There is no way to reverse any damage to the optic nerve. Due to this, it’s essential to get your eyes checked regularly.
Who Is At Risk For Glaucoma?
You may be at risk for glaucoma if you have a family history of it. It’s also possible for you to be at risk for this eye disease if you have diabetes, are a long-term user of corticosteroids, or have had excessive sun exposure and harmful UV damage to your eyes.
Does Glaucoma Have Any Symptoms?
Glaucoma can make your central vision seem blurry or distorted. You may also notice changes in your peripheral vision.
With glaucoma, your peripheral vision may appear darker or faded. However, most people who develop glaucoma will not notice many changes to their vision at first.
Your eye doctor can detect glaucoma during routine eye exams. Due to the lack of symptoms glaucoma often presents, it’s essential to visit your eye doctor routinely to avoid any vision loss.
Treatment Options For Glaucoma
During a thorough eye exam, your doctor will check for signs of glaucoma and any loss of vision. Your eye doctor will examine your eye’s drainage angle, optic nerve, cornea thickness, peripheral vision, and intraocular pressure.
Even though glaucoma is not reversible, it can be treated with medication if caught early enough. Here are the treatment options available to help protect your sight:
Prescription Eye Drops
Medicated eye drops can help regulate the pressure inside of your eye.
Oral Medication
Eye doctors may treat glaucoma with oral medication, depending on how advanced the condition is. Oral prescriptions can help reduce your eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
Laser Procedures
Your eye doctor may feel that further intervention past medication is necessary to reduce your eye pressure. If this is the case, they may use a laser to help increase fluid outflow from your eye.
This process will help release the pressure on the optic nerve and help prevent vision loss.
Glaucoma Surgery
In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary to reduce eye pressure and preserve vision. There are different types of glaucoma surgery, including inserting a stent to improve the outflow of fluid.
Your eye doctor will follow you closely to determine which treatment is necessary to ensure your vision stays as healthy and clear as possible.
Do you want to learn more about how eye doctors treat glaucoma? Schedule an appointment at Associates in Ophthalmology in Livingston, NJ, today!
