All You Should Know About Glaucoma Treatment

You may know a thing or two about getting the proportions of your foods right. While that will keep your overall health in check, how much about your eyes do you know? Have you heard of glaucoma? Do you have an optometrist you can call for eye check-ups? There isn’t enough information about eye care, especially when it comes to glaucoma and how it can affect people’s life. In this text, find everything you should know about the disorder.

Understanding More About Glaucoma

It is an eye condition where the eye’s optic nerve is damaged. With time, the condition worsens. It is explained as a situation where pressure builds up in your eyes. This pressure is called intraocular pressure, and it damages the optic nerve.

The problem with Glaucoma, according to eye MD Monterey, is that it has no clear signs or symptoms at the beginning. Usually, it runs in the genetics of a family. It does not, however, show up, until later in life. The patients who suffer from glaucoma do not experience pain or vision problems in the early stages of this eye disorder.

The main reason why people are advised to consider regular eye exams and check-ups are so that they can be diagnosed early with glaucoma. Technically, the disease can worsen and cause permanent blindness. Once you lose your vision, it cannot be reversed. It is why you must consider optometry in Cass before it is too late to save your vision.

What Causes Glaucoma?

This disease happens when there is a blockage in your eyes. The eyes have a fluid called the aqueous humor. This fluid is supposed to flow out of your eyes through a channel that is usually mesh-like. If this channel is blocked, then the fluids will not flow out as they should. This causes a build-up of the fluids, increasing the pressure in the eyes. Even though it is not always clear why this blockage happens, several reasons have been linked to this disorder, including the following:

1. Genetics – is the most common explanation. If someone your lineage has suffered this condition you are at risk of getting it as well.
2. Blunt injury – if your eye is hut by something blunt, it can cause a blockage of the channel for draining the fluids.
3. Chemical injury – some chemicals can be very harsh to the eyes, causing immediate vision loss, or gradual loss through glaucoma.
4. Blocked blood vessels – if the blood vessels channeling to your eyes are blocked, you could suffer this illness.
5. The eye works – some surgical works on your eyes can lead to glaucoma, although, it is very unlikely and does not happen as often.

Who Can Get Glaucoma?

Glaucoma happens to adults who have hit the age of 40 or more. The signs and symptoms begin to show up with advanced age. However, it is not limited to that. There are cases of young adults, and even infants, who have glaucoma. Besides that, other risk factors of glaucoma include:

1. Vision problems – if you already have vision problems, you have a higher risk of getting glaucoma
2. Genetics – if it runs in your family, you too might have it.
3. Diabetes
4. High blood pressure
5. Other medical conditions like heart disease, sickle cell anemia, among others.

Glaucoma Treatment Options

The treatment for this eye disorder works by lowering the pressure that has built up in the yes. However, the treatment plan only works if the vision has not been lost. Early diagnosis makes a big difference in treating glaucoma. Some of the treatment options include:

1. Eye drops – the drops work by altering the amount f fluid in your eyes. They will either increase or reduce the fluid created in your eyes, hence, lowering the pressure.
2. Oral medication – examples include beta-blocker. The oral medication either reduces the creation of the fluid or improve the drainage thereof.
3. Laser surgery – sometimes surgical intervention is the best way to treat glaucoma. The procedure is however useful for improving open-angle glaucoma by improving the flow of fluid in your eyes.

Summary

Glaucoma is a serious condition that is more dangerous with progression. Consider regular eye checkups and preventive methods to avoid the disease. While at it, protect your eyes from external damage, whether from accidents or exposure to harmful chemicals.