Information About Glaucoma

 Glaucoma Risk Factors 

Information about glaucoma is important to millions of people all over the world who suffer from this dangerous and common eye disease. Glaucoma has been called the “silent thief of sight” because there are no glaucoma symptoms or eye pain until your eyesight is affected. Unfortunately, this means that the glaucoma may not be detected until it is too late.

What is glaucoma of the eye? The word glaucoma, which is sometimes incorrectly spelled "glucoma") actually refers to several disorders of the eye that are caused by this buildup of internal eye pressure. This pressure damages the optic nerve of the eye which is what transmits visual information to the brain. By the time your eyesight is affected the optic nerve has usually sustained damage that is irreversible and any loss of eyesight you suffer from will already be permanent.

However, there is one type of glaucoma called the “Narrow-Angle Glaucoma” that does have symptoms. With this condition you may experience blurry vision, intense eye pain, redness, nausea or vomiting. Make sure you see your eye doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
 
There are different degrees of vision problems associated with glaucoma. If left untreated then it can begin affecting your peripheral vision. This is when you begin noticing a decrease in the ability to see at the edges of your vision. Over time glaucoma can lead to complete blindness.

Risk factors of glaucoma Anyone can get glaucoma. However, some people are at a higher risk than others. Here's a list of risk factors of glaucoma.

• Having a family history of glaucoma
• Injury to the eyes
• History of diabetes
• Anyone past the age of forty-five
• History of nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Use of steroids

These factors increase your risk of glaucoma but they do not mean that you will definitely end up with the disease. Neither does it mean that you will not get glaucoma if these factors do not apply to you.

Treating Glaucoma Once glaucoma has been diagnosed, treatment can begin. Treating glaucoma as soon as possible is very important, and getting glaucoma tests is a smart idea, especially if you have the risk factors of glaucoma. Keep in mind that damage already done to the eyes usually cannot be reversed but you can prevent more damage from occurring with treatment.

Treating glaucoma involves reducing the intraocular pressure that causes damage to the eye. Treatment can include eye drops, laser or surgery. A patient with glaucoma is rarely given pills to take but it is possible. You may be prescribed more than one type of eye drop to use several times a day. Eye drops work by lowering the production of aqueous fluid or by increasing the drainage of this fluid to relieve the pressure around the eyes. Laser procedures or surgery may also be done when needed to reduce intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of partial and complete blindness in all patients with eye problems. It is recommended that you get as much information about glaucoma as you can, especially if you have any of the risk factors. And make sure you receive regular eye exams to help protect you from this dangerous eye disease.    

 
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