Glaucoma refers to a variety of eye conditions that may damage your optic nerve, which is responsible for good vision. Many people in San Antonio struggle with glaucoma, and the damage is typically caused by excessively high pressure within the eye. Glaucoma in San Antonio is one of the leading causes of blindness for older adults.
Many forms of glaucoma attack without any warning signs. The effects crop up so gradually that one may not realize until the condition has advanced. Unfortunately, it can cause irreversible vision loss. If, however, it is detected early, vision loss may be prevented or slowed.
What Causes Glaucoma?
You may get glaucoma following damage to your optic nerve. As the nerve deteriorates slowly, you may start developing blind spots in your visual field. However, medical professions don’t fully understand how damage to your nerves may increase pressure within the eye.
Increased eye pressure typically results from the buildup of fluid flowing inside your eyes. The internal fluid may drain out through tissues known as the trabecular meshwork. When there is an overproduction of the fluid or the drainage system isn’t working as it should, the fluid can’t flow out at optimal speed.
In some instances, glaucoma may be genetic. Scientists believe that specific genes increase your risk of optic nerve damage or high eye pressure. Less common glaucoma causes include chemical and blunt eye injuries, the blockage of blood vessels in the eye, and severe eye infection. On rare occasions, getting eye surgery to correct different conditions may cause glaucoma.
The Symptoms Of Glaucoma
If you have open-angle glaucoma, you may not record any symptoms. If they do develop, they are likely to do so much later in the disease. For this reason, it is known as the ‘sneak thief of vision.’ The first sign of open-angle glaucoma is loss of peripheral vision.
With close-angle glaucoma, the signs show up early and are more pronounced. The damage happens rapidly as well. Here are the most common symptoms to look out for:
● Seeing colored halos around light
● Severe eye pain and redness
● Hazy-looking eyes
● Sudden disturbances of your vision
● Vomiting, nausea, and general stomach upsets
Diagnosis
If you have the symptoms of glaucoma, your doctor will perform the relevant tests. Glaucoma tests are simple, painless, and don’t take too long. When you visit an eye doctor, they will use drops to dilate your pupils before examining them. They will test your vision as well.
They may examine your optic nerve for glaucoma symptoms. If necessary, they will take photos to identify changes on your next visit. A tonometry test is used to gauge your eye pressure. If they suspect that you may have lost peripheral vision, they will do a visual field test.
Get Medical Help For Glaucoma
If you have the symptoms of glaucoma, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Since glaucoma is a life-long condition, you must learn tips to live with it. Your doctor will give you tips to maintain eye health and lead an everyday life. They may even help reverse the symptoms of glaucoma.
