The causes of glaucoma often seem difficult to understand. But it’s important to learn about the causes and symptoms of this disease to maintain good eye health. Glaucoma may seem scary, but it’s not invincible. Visiting your eye doctor and being aware of the causes and symptoms of glaucoma will help you prevent the progression of glaucoma to blindness.
Causes of Glaucoma: Signs and Symptoms
What is Glaucoma of the Eye?
Glaucoma is a medical condition which affects the eye’s optic nerve. This connects our eye to the brain, so a healthy optic nerve is essential to eye health. There is no cure for glaucoma but early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent loss of vision. The most common form of glaucoma is open angle-glaucoma. A more severe form of glaucoma is acute angle-closure glaucoma. This needs immediate medical attention. Moreover, glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms. Glaucoma is one of the most widespread causes of blindness worldwide, so it’s best to have regular check-ups with your eye doctor to address possible issues before it’s too late.
Causes of Glaucoma
Doctors have identified several factors which can indicate the first signs of glaucoma.
- Increased eye pressure – Of all the causes of glaucoma, this is the most severe. This occurs when the fluid in our eyes does not drain properly. Too much fluid or a blockage can lead to greater eye pressure, which damages the optic nerve.
- Family history – Check if your family has any history of glaucoma. Doctors say that the blockage in the eye can be hereditary. So if your parents or relatives have glaucoma, chances are you might develop it as well.
- Age – As we grow older, our bodies don’t work as well as they do. Sometimes parts become weak or don’t function properly. As a result, we have a higher chance of developing age related glaucoma.
- Eye injury – In some cases, eye injuries can damage the optic nerve and increase the risk of glaucoma.
Symptoms
Glaucoma often develops slowly and without any apparent symptoms. It’s important to pay attention to the following signs, which can be confused with symptoms of other eye conditions.
- Blurred vision
- Halos around lights
- Eye pain
- Head pain
- Nausea
These are several symptoms which can mark the early stages of glaucoma. Watch out for these signs, especially when they last longer than a week. Visit your doctor if these symptoms don’t go away or worsen, as they may indicate damage to the optic nerve. Letting glaucoma go untreated can lead to partial or total blindness.
Dr. Kondrot, a leading alternative Ophthalmologist, states that glaucoma is a disease of the autonomic nervous system and ways to reduce stress like meditation, deep breathing, exercise can help.
Looking for more information on the causes of glaucoma? Check out this lecture from Dr. Edward Kondrot:
There are several causes of glaucoma, which can lead to permanent damage to your optic nerve. However, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can ensure your eyes remain functional and healthy.
Have you experienced the causes of glaucoma? Tell us in the comments below!
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