Knowing the symptoms and types of Glaucoma helps to detect, treat and prevent vision loss.
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. While there is no cure for glaucoma, it can be controlled with treatment. That’s why early detection and treatment are so important.
Let’s learn more about this condition, its risk factors and symptoms, and what we can do to better treat and prevent it.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries information from your eyes to your brain and when it’s damaged, you can lose vision.
Types of Glaucoma
There are different types of glaucoma but the most common type are:-
Open-angle Glaucoma.
This happens when the drainage system in your eye doesn’t work properly and fluid builds up in your eye, damaging the optic nerve.
Angle-closure glaucoma.
This happens when your iris (the coloured part of your eye) blocks the drainage system in your eye, preventing fluid from draining properly. This causes a pressure build-up which damages the optic nerve.
Other Types of Glaucoma
There are other less common types of glaucoma as well, such as low-tension or normal-tension, congenital, secondary, pediatric, pigmentary, traumatic, and exfoliation syndrome–related glaucoma.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma
There are several risk factors associated with developing glaucoma:
- Age (over 60 years old)
- Family history
- Race (African American, Hispanic/Latino descent)
- Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension or other medical disorders
People who have had an injury to their eyes or certain ocular surgery may also be at increased risk for developing this condition.
Glaucoma Symptoms
The early stages of open-angle glaucoma usually don’t have any symptoms, so it often goes undetected until it has caused significant damage to one’s vision. However, there may be symptoms associated with other types, such as angle-closure glaucoma.
These symptoms can include:-
1 Pain in one or both eyes
2 Sudden onset of severe headache
3 Rainbow-coloured halos around lights
4 Vomiting and Nausea (vomiting sensation)
5 Redness in one or both eyes
6 Pressure on the eyes
7 Blurred vision
If you experience these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. If left untreated, they could result in permanent loss of sight within only a few days.
Early Detection And Treatment
Regular eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist are crucial for detecting glaucoma early. This is especially true if you’re over the age of 60 or have any of the other risk factors mentioned above.
Living With Glaucoma
If you have received a diagnosis of glaucoma, it is of utmost importance that you adhere to your prescribed treatment plan and schedule regular appointments with your doctor.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for glaucoma, including eye drops, oral medications, laser surgery, and traditional surgery. By following your treatment plan and seeking regular medical care, you can effectively manage glaucoma and protect your vision.
You may also need to make some lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet. Exercising regularly and managing other medical conditions can also help control glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss, but it can be controlled with treatment. Early detection is key to preventing vision loss from glaucoma.
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