Are There Glaucoma Warning Signs?

Glaucoma is notorious for two things: losing your sight while being undetectable. But there are different types of glaucoma.

Though glaucoma has no symptoms, it is detectable by a professional. This makes it vital that you schedule regular visitations with an eye doctor! Keep reading to learn more about glaucoma!

Types of Glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It occurs when pressure builds inside the eye over a long period of time. This pressure builds up due to the interior drainage system not being able to pass fluids.

This pressure gets to a point where it damages the optic nerve, destroying vision. Once the vision has gotten damaged, it is gone for good and can’t come back.

Another more violent form of glaucoma is acute glaucoma, or angle closure glaucoma. This kind of glaucoma occurs when the drainage system becomes completely blocked off.

This causes a spike in interior eye pressure. Unlike primary open angle glaucoma, acute glaucoma comes with rapid, painful vision loss.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you experience headaches, blurry vision, nausea, and halos, get medical attention immediately!

Another type of glaucoma exists called normal tension glaucoma. Normal tension glaucoma can affect people without raising eye pressure. This then makes it even more difficult to detect!

Normal tension glaucoma may occur because people’s optic nerves are more sensitive. It may also have to do with inadequate blood supply to the optic nerve.

Sometimes people can get glaucoma as a result of separate eye disease or as a symptom of trauma to the eye.

Detecting and Treating Glaucoma

Eye doctors usually test for glaucoma during a comprehensive eye exam. Depending on your age, you should have an eye exam at least once a year.

A tonometry test sometimes called the “puff of air” test is straightforward. A puff of air is blown into the eyes through a special machine that detects the resistance.

This then calculates the internal eye pressure. If your internal eye pressure levels are too high, you may need treatment to bring them down.

Glaucoma treatment generally comes in the form of eye drops. These eye drops will reduce the interior eye pressure to safe levels. To work, take them as often as indicated per the prescription.

If you don’t keep up with your glaucoma medications, you could end up with higher eye pressure. Continued rising intraocular pressure can lead to losing even more vision.

If eye drops aren’t enough, you may also try pills instead. Eye drops are better, since glaucoma pills may come with unpleasant side effects.

If you’ve tried pills and eye drops, your last resort is often surgery. Laser surgery can reduce your initial eye pressure. Even after surgery, you’ll need to continue taking eye drops. This ensures your eye pressure stays stable and doesn’t get too high.

Wondering what your next steps are if you have glaucoma? Contact New England Vision in Plattsburgh, NY for an appointment today! Early treatment with glaucoma is key when it comes to preserving your vision!