Glaucoma is an eye condition that’s marked by a high intraocular pressure (IOP) that may lead to optic nerve damage. Without immediate treatment, it may cause permanent loss of vision. Guilford Eye Center, your trusted provider of contact lenses and other eye care services, discusses some important facts you should know about this disease.
Glaucoma May Not Show Any Symptoms at First
There are two types of glaucoma: primary open-angle and angle closure. The former is more common than the latter. It occurs when your eye fluids accumulate even if the angle where they usually drain into does not have any obstructions. This type is usually asymptomatic, particularly in the early stages.
Glaucoma Is a Leading Cause of Blindness Worldwide
After cataracts, the World Health Organization recognizes glaucoma is the second top reason individuals all over the world become blind. In the U.S. alone, it is the primary cause behind 10 percent of the reported cases of vision loss. Your eye care center shares that this complication is more often linked with the second classification of glaucoma, the angle-closure type.
This happens when you have blocked drainage angle, causing your eye fluids to build up and your IOP to rise. The high pressure may compress your optic nerve, interrupting the transfer of image signals to your brain. You may start having limited peripheral visual access, known as tunnel vision. Without immediate management, this may lead to irreversible blindness.
Glaucoma May Affect Anyone at Any Age
While glaucoma often affects older persons, researchers found that at least 1 out of every 10,000 newborns in the U.S. develop congenital glaucoma. This means this disease may affect anyone at any age, which is why it’s necessary to have routine eye exams. The sooner we detect and manage this condition, the sooner we can prevent it from robbing you of your sight.
Glaucoma Has No Proven Cure Yet
Currently, glaucoma has no proven cure. Management for this condition aims to stop its progression, preserve your vision, and maintain your quality of life. We may prescribe IOP-lowering eye drops to control the symptoms. For more severe cases, we may recommend performing surgery to remove obstructions in the drainage angle.
For more information about glaucoma, turn to Guilford Eye Center. Apart from managing eye conditions, we offer equally effective alternatives for LASIK eye surgery. Call us today at (336) 387-6777 or complete our form to schedule an appointment. We serve High Point and nearby NC areas.
