Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the patient’s optic nerve and may worsen over time. It can be attributed to accumulated pressure inside the eye. This condition tends to be hereditary and not be apparent until one reaches the later stages of life. As one Pembroke Pines Eye Doctor explains, the increased pressure is often referred to as intraocular pressure and may cause damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for relaying light signals to the brain for interpretation as images of objects. Continued damage to the optic nerve could result in permanent vision loss. This is why it is often recommended to go for regular check-ups and seek medical attention as soon as you realize you are experience eye health problems.
If not properly treated, glaucoma could become more severe and result in permanent blindness in just a couple of years. One of the most challenging things about the disease is that it may not have any symptoms during the early stages. The patients may not feel any pain at all until it has advanced to intermediate or later stages. However, a regular can reveal the disease and help to find immediate treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment could help to prevent long-term vision loss. Individuals aged 40 years and over or those with a family history of this eye disease are encouraged to visit an ophthalmologist because they are at a higher risk.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Most people with glaucoma do not show any symptoms at first. Where there are symptoms, the first one is often the loss of side/ peripheral vision. However, this may go unnoticed unto the disease has advanced to later stages. With a complete eye exam performed by a professional eye doctor or specialist, the condition can be detected in its early stages, and appropriate treatment can be given. People are advised to go for a complete diagnosis at least once every 12 to 24 months.
When the pressure inside your eyes rises to severe levels, you may experience blurred vision, headache, and sudden eye pain. The diagnosis involves the doctor using a few drops to dilate the patient’s pupils before testing the vision and examining the eyes. S/he examines the optic nerve for any signs of glaucoma and may take photos of the nerve for easy tracking of the disease over time. A tonometry test may also be performed to check if the eye pressure is abnormal. A visual field test may also help to determine whether the patient has lost his or her peripheral/side vision.
Treatments
If you are found to have glaucoma, some of the treatment options may include prescription eye drops to help restore the eye pressure to normal levels. In severe cases, laser surgery or microsurgery may be performed to help reduce the pressure buildup in the patient’s eye. While it is not possible to prevent the disease, it can be controlled if detected in its early stages. Therefore, take time to visit a specialist eye doctor at least once every two years, especially if you are aged 40 years and older or have the disease in your family.