Glaucoma, the primary cause of preventable blindness, affects many people ranging from recently born infants to aging seniors. Although it's not technically an eye disease, it's actually a degenerative condition which can be detected, treated and impeded by regular simple and painless eye examinations and follow-up treatments. If caught in the early stages, an optometrist can detect, treat and impede the ravishing effects of glaucoma.
So, what exactly is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a term used to describe a degenerative eye condition, which is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (or high pressure) within the eye, leading to the deterioration of the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells. If left untreated, glaucoma can eventually lead to partial or total loss of vision. This irreversible eye condition is the leading causes of preventable blindness that steals the vision of many people each year.
What causes this degenerative eye condition? Alarmingly, the exact cause of glaucoma is not well-known. For unknown reasons, blockage of the passages (through which eye fluid flows) within the eye leads to increased pressure on the optic nerve as well as the retinal ganglion cells. During this time, untreated glaucoma can severely damage the fragile nerve fibers and vulnerable blood vessels, in the optic nerve region, resulting in loss of vision.
In whom does glaucoma most frequently occurs?
Individuals who have diabetes.
Individuals over the age of 40.
People susceptible to developing glaucoma.
Individuals who are nearsighted.
Children susceptible to developing childhood glaucoma.
What are other risk factors for glaucoma?
Glaucoma may occur as a complication of other medical problems such as:
Advanced cataracts
Eye injuries
Eye surgery
Inflammation of the middle membrane, or uvea, within the eye (uveitis)
Certain eye tumors
How detrimental is glaucoma?
The optic nerve center transmits all signals from the retina to the brain. The deterioration of the bundle of nerve fibers restricts the stream and quality of signals sent to the brain, resulting in a loss of vision.
What are the warning signs of glaucoma?
For many people, the symptoms or signs of glaucoma vary depending on the type of degenerative eye condition. The first of two major classes of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common subtype of glaucoma. This type of degenerative eye condition develops slowly without initial pain. In fact, Primary open-angle glaucoma is hard to detect without an special eye examination, because there is no early warning signs. POAG can progressively destroy your vision without warning. The first sign may occur after the affected person has experienced some degree of vision has already been loss.
The second most common subtype of glaucoma is acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG), which is deemed a medical emergency, because rapid or sudden increase in pressure inside the eye --- called intraocular pressure (IOP) --- could result in partial or total blindness. The sudden blockage of drainage channels in your eye is the culprit. Warning signs include: a rapid buildup of pressure inside the eye, pain, blurred vision, the appearance of colored rings around lights, as well as redness in the eyes.
How can glaucoma be prevented?
As stated earlier, early detection and treatment of glaucoma significantly reduces your risk of vision loss. Contrary to popular belief, glaucoma is an irreversible eye condition that is preventable. It is imperative that you should seek the attention of an optometrist to reduce the risk of severe glaucoma-related visual morbidity and blindness if caught in the early stages. A highly-trained optometrist can give you a comprehensive optometric examination, during which time he or she tests your eyes for glaucoma.
See an optometrist regularly because any vision loss caused by glaucoma is often times permanent and cannot be restored. A simple, painless eye examination is the key to preserve your vision. Remember, untreated glaucoma is a silent thief of sight, which robs people of their vision each day. Have an optometrist thoroughly check your eyes regularly to safeguard your vision. You'll be very glad you did.
0 comments:
Post a Comment