Glaucoma is the eye condition where your optic nerve is damaged due to increased pressure within the eyeball. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated in its earlier stages, it can cause an eventual and complete vision loss. In order to avoid such dire compilations, early detection is necessary and can be done with the help of the following information at an eye clinic.
The Symptoms
Glaucoma is common in adults over the age of 60 as they are at a higher risk for the condition compared to younger adults. It is often understood as a hereditary condition but can also be caused by multiple factors such as particular medications, previous eye surgeries, or even injuries that your eyes have sustained. The very first signs of this condition are often black spots in the vision and can occur in combination with other symptoms such as eye pain, severe headache, or even nausea.
A blurred vision that forms white halos around lights along with redness in the eyes can also be experienced. If any of these indicators persist, it is crucial to see your eye doctor as soon as possible. However, in certain cases, it has been noted by doctors that the patients do not experience any symptoms and discover their condition only when an eye exam is conducted. Therefore, it is recommended to get a regular eye examination done especially if your medical conditions or genetic history indicates such a possibility in the future.
The Risks
As per multiple studies conducted over the past years, the results have shown that people diagnosed with diabetes are more likely to also have glaucoma over time. Higher blood pressure on average has also been revealed as a possible commonality with glaucoma in patients. It is recommended for both types of patients to have eye tests conducted every six months for their betterment as they are more prone to have greater advancement of the condition over a shorter period.
If a family member has been diagnosed with the condition, it is essential to get yourself tested as well. The examination will not only help with early detection but will also help treatments be more effective and prevent complete vision loss. Further progression of the condition can be avoided with regular trips to your ophthalmologist.
Progression
Once your ophthalmologist has diagnosed you with glaucoma, immediate measures will be taken to stop the progression of the condition for the rest of your life. This way, your vision can be conserved to a greater extent with the help of effective treatments that have been developed over the past few years. Many of these include eye drops, ingestible tablets and laser eye surgery. When glaucoma remains undetected for long even before patients come to get tested, they are likely to have worsened eyesight already.
The progression is quite fast-paced and when detected later, it can be difficult to regulate or stop. At a later stage, even if a treatment is completed, it remains ineffective for the most part due to the extent of the damage that’s done. This is also all dependent on the type of glaucoma you have been diagnosed with, which influences the chances of your vision surviving in the long run.
The above information will help you stay more informed about glaucoma and also ensure you recognize the signs early on in life. It will not only help you save your eyesight but will also give you access to effective treatments. To complete an eye test today, consult with one of our very own ophthalmologists at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center who will ensure a thorough examination and help you keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.