Glaucoma is the second top cause of blindness globally, yet almost half of people suffering from glaucoma are unaware that they are suffering from a vision-threatening disorder. Glaucoma has no warning signs in its most critical forms, especially in its earliest phases, so it can be difficult to detect without regular eye examinations.
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve and if left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss or total blindness. There’s no cure for glaucoma, however, medical and surgical intervention can reduce its severeness.
Check for following symptoms to know if you’re at risk for Glaucoma and consult an ophthalmologist immediately:
Redness in the eye: Frequent redness of eyes accompanies by pain can be a sign of acute glaucoma.
Vision loss: A sudden vision loss is certainly a symptom for Glaucoma.
Loss of peripheral vision: side vision loss is referred to as the first sign of glaucoma.
Haziness/blurriness in the eye: If the cornea becomes cloudy, it’s the preliminary stage of glaucoma.
Halos around lights: seeing rainbow-colored circles around lights or an unusual sensitivity to light can be a sign of glaucoma.
Tunnel vision: losing the vision from around the edges of one’s visual field.
Nausea & Vomiting: Severe eye pain may be accompanied with vomiting and nausea.
Headache or Painting Eye: This symptom is most common in angle-closure type glaucoma.
How Glaucoma Affects The Eye
Glaucoma grows when the pressure inside the eye is higher than the eye can endure; this strain eventually damages the optic nerve. The risen pressure can be the result of numerous factors within the eye. Eye pressure builds when eye fluid (aqueous humor) fails to drain properly. If it’s left untreated, damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive loss of peripheral vision. This loss of eyesight usually isn’t detected by the patient before the condition turns into a severe case of complete blindness.
Note: There’s not a cure for glaucoma. Vision loss from the disease can’t be restored.
Glaucoma Treatments
Immediate treatment for early-stage, open-angle glaucoma can delay the progression of the illness. Therefore, early diagnosis is extremely crucial.
Glaucoma treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or even a mix of any of these. While these remedies may save remaining vision, they don’t improve sight lost from glaucoma.
Medicines. Medicines, in the form of eye drops or pills, are the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Taken often, these eyedrops are efficient in reducing eye pressure. Some medications cause the eye to generate less fluid. Others lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.
Laser Trabeculoplasty. Laser trabeculoplasty helps fluid drain from the eye. Your doctor may suggest this step at any time. In many cases, you will need to continue taking glaucoma medicines after this medical process.
Conventional Surgery. Conventional surgery makes a fresh cut for the fluid to leave the eye. It’s often done after medicines and laser surgery have failed to control the developing pressure.
