Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve, which links the eye to the brain. It’s one of the leading causes of visual disability, but experts say that such diseases can be prevented with early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Symptoms and Treatment
Different types of glaucoma exist, and each has specific symptoms that you should know. With angle closure glaucoma, symptoms typically include severe pain in the eyes, vomiting, nausea and blurred vision with a rainbow halo around lights. This type of disease occurs when the iris blocks the normal flow of fluid to the drain, which can then lead to increasing eye pressure that could damage the optic nerve.
With open-angle glaucoma, there are no perceivable symptoms. It’s often called the “Sneak Thief of Sight” because the damage to the optic nerve can occur even with normal eye pressure. That said, regular visits to your eye care center can help detect any forms of glaucoma. Typically, eye doctors check the eye pressure by using a tonometer. They also inspect the optic nerve with ophthalmoscope and the front of the eyes with a slit lamp.
Who Are at Risk?
Apart from the two types of glaucoma mentioned above, there are also secondary glaucomas that can result from underlying eye conditions or the side effects of treatments of these conditions. If you have a previous eye injury, high eye pressure, short-sightedness or long-sightedness, you may have a higher risk of glaucoma.
Other factors that could potentially put you at higher risk of glaucoma are diabetes, high or low blood pressure, prolonged use of steroids in the past or present, and a tendency to have migraines during winter.
Guilford Eye Center is an established eye care specialist. We offer an array of services ranging from eye exams to dry eye treatment. Call us at (336) 292-4516, or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve customers in High Point, NC.
