Prudhomme Vision Discusses Early Signs of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a very serious disease of the eye. It occurs when there is increased pressure in your eyes. When this happens, the optic nerve can be damaged. This can cause permanent blindness.
What Are the Two Most Common Types Of Glaucoma?
There are two types of glaucoma, and they each cause different symptoms.
Open-angle glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. It occurs when the drain system in your eye is not working properly, and the fluid cannot drain. This is what causes increased pressure in your eyes. This type of glaucoma often shows no symptom until the optic nerve has been damaged and vision loss has occurred. In the later stages, you can begin to lose your peripheral vision which can result in tunnel vision.
Angle-closure glaucoma: This form of glaucoma is less common. It occurs when the drainage system in your eye becomes too narrow to properly drain the fluid which will increase your eye pressure. Unlike open-angle glaucoma, this type causes symptoms that strike quickly. These symptoms include severe eye pain, headaches, nausea and vomiting, blurry vision, halos around lights, and redness of the eye.
How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Both types of glaucoma can be diagnosed during an annual eye exam. If your eye doctor noticed an increase in your eye pressure, they would order additional testing to confirm the diagnosis. Since open-angle glaucoma shows no symptoms until vision loss has already occurred, it is essential that you have a complete eye exam every year.
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma. There are; however, medications and surgical procedures that can slow the progression of the disease, helping to preserve your eyesight. Eye drops are often used to reduce the pressure in your eye. There are also surgical procedures available to help your eyes to drain the fluid better which will reduce the pressure in your eye. If your optic nerve has been damaged and you are suffering from vision loss, it cannot be reversed.
Contact Prudhomme Vision Today!
To be sure that your eyes are healthy and free of disease, you should schedule an appointment with Prudhomme Vision. Our optometrist in Manchester will check your eye pressure during your exam to ensure your eye health. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors of optometry, give us a call today.
