Glaucoma is a dangerous eye disease that can cause blindness. It often has no symptoms but if caught early enough, can be controlled. Some glaucoma cases have rapid onset, though, and must be treated quickly.
What is it?
Glaucoma is a build-up of fluid pressure in the eye. This pressure may damage your optic nerves, which send messages to your brain so you can see. Your eyes always produce fluids that normally drain out. When the eyes’ drainage areas become clogged or damaged, too much fluid stays in the eye and increases pressure.
Two Kinds
Doctors typically see two kinds of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle. Open-angle glaucoma is most common. It occurs slowly as people age and drainage areas become blocked. Because pressure builds-up so gradually, many people don’t notice symptoms, which include loss of peripheral or side vision.
Closed-angle glaucoma is less common and usually occurs quickly when the eye’s drainage area becomes damaged or suddenly blocked. Eye pressure builds rapidly and may blur vision and cause you to see rainbow halos around lights. Closed-angle glaucoma also may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and severe pain. If not treated immediately, you may quickly become blind.
Are You At Risk?
Glaucoma can hit anyone; however, some people are more at risk. Risk factors include:
- Increasing age
- African descent
- Family history of glaucoma
- Eye injury or surgery
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health problems
Screening
Glaucoma screening is part of every professional eye examination, so regular eye exams are very important to discover and treat glaucoma. Doctors use special instruments to detect glaucoma. A tonometer measures pressure inside your eye by slightly touching your eye or sending a painless puff of air against it. A device also may be used to see how far you see to the side to ensure you’re not losing your peripheral vision.
Doctors may dilate your pupils with eye drops so they can see inside your eye and check for conditions or signs of glaucoma and other eye problems.
Treatment
Medicines
To treat glaucoma, doctors may prescribe eyedrops and pills to lower eye pressure. These medicines may reduce the amount of fluid your eyes make or increase eye drainage. Use medicines as directed and don’t stop taking them even if symptoms stop. Eye pressure can rise rapidly and threaten your vision. Check with your doctor before stopping medication and if side effects occur.
Procedures
In severe glaucoma cases, doctors may use laser treatments to increase eye drainage, or surgery may create new drainage areas to control eye pressure.
What To Do
Eye examinations are crucial to screen for glaucoma and prevent blindness. If you would like to schedule an examination, call Arizona Eye Care or e-mail or fax us an appointment request form.