Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve, which sends visual information from your eyes to your brain. Optic nerve damage linked to glaucoma is related to high pressure in your eyes, though it can occur with normal eye pressure, too. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma is critical to maintain good vision and eliminate bothersome symptoms.

Which symptoms can glaucoma cause?

Symptoms associated with glaucoma include:

• Central vision problems
• Patchy blind pots
• Changes in your side (peripheral) vision
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe eye pain
• Blurred vision
• Eye redness
• Seeing halos around lights

You may not have symptoms in the early stages of glaucoma, but routine eye exams can still detect this common eye disease. 

What increases the risk of glaucoma?

Risk factors for developing glaucoma include:

• High internal eye pressure
• Family history of glaucoma
• Being over age 55
• Extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness
• Thin corneas in your eyes
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Sickle cell anemia
• Migraines
• Eye injuries
• Using corticosteroid eye drops for a long time

Prevention measures for glaucoma-related complications include attending routine eye exams, using eye drops only as directed, and wearing eye protection to reduce the risk of eye injuries. 

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Diagnosing glaucoma includes a review of your medical history and symptoms, vision screening, and a comprehensive eye exam. 

Your optometrist measures your internal eye pressure and dilates your pupils using eye drops to obtain an in-depth look at the inside of your eyes. They offer imaging procedures to create images of internal eye structures. Your eye doctor also screens for vision changes, vision loss, thin corneas, and irregular drainage angles. 

How is glaucoma treated?

Eye damage caused by glaucoma isn’t reversible, but early treatment helps prevent disease progression. Your glaucoma treatment plan may include oral medications, prescription eye drops, laser treatments, vision correction, and surgery. Your optometrist might refer you to another specialist if you’re a candidate for eye surgery. 

It’s also important to eat healthy foods, take dietary supplements if needed, get regular exercise, limit caffeine, and take all medications exactly as instructed.

Schedule an eye exam at Vistasite Eye Care of Valley Stream by phone or online today to get screened for glaucoma.