Glaucoma Diagnosis and treatment at First Eye Care

Glaucoma is a kind of eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, a cranial nerve that is vital to eyesight. Glaucoma is a serious condition, with patients unable to recover from the vision loss that it causes. Over 2 million people are affected by glaucoma; over 6 million people are affected worldwide. Here is what you need to know about glaucoma.

Causes of Glaucoma

Studies have shown that glaucoma is caused by a chronic increase in eye pressure. An abnormally high eye pressure, also known as ocular hypertension, occurs when there is an imbalance in the product or drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid that helps maintain intraocular pressure. The mesh channel that controls the flow of aqueous humor can become blocked, resulting in a buildup of fluid that leads to high eye pressure.

Glaucoma is believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. Diabetic retinopathy, ocular trauma, and uveitis are associated with this condition. 

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Symptoms often include vision loss, eye throbbing, redness, blurriness, visual halos, dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Glaucoma progresses slowly over time, so someone with glaucoma may not realize it at first. The best way to prevent the onset of glaucoma is through annual checkups with your eye doctor.

Types of Glaucoma

There are different types of glaucoma, namely open-angle and angle-closure. In the common open-angle, the meshwork of your eye appears to be normal but it doesn't flow properly. In angle-closure glaucoma, your iris and cornea are narrowed, leading to drainage problems. 

How an Optometrist Treats Glaucoma

Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive eye examination that tests for certain disease signs. Visual acuity testing, visual field testing, dilated eye exam, tonometry, and pachymetry are all used to test for glaucoma.

Once glaucoma is diagnosed, the doctor will recommend the best course of management for you. Unfortunately, glaucoma cannot be permanently cured, only managed. However, certain treatment methods can delay the progress of glaucoma, which is why an early diagnosis can help. An eye doctor might treat glaucoma with ocular pressure medication or trabeculoplasty, a surgery that improves the eye's drainage system.

Contact Our Local Eye Doctor For Glaucoma Treatment Today

The First Eye Care is an eye health center serving the people of Killeen and Salado. Glaucoma is just one of many eye conditions that we are capable of treating. The center has our own licensed Optometric Glaucoma Specialist, Dr. Lucas. To get in contact with our glaucoma expert, please call us at Killeen (254-690-4733) or Salado (254-781-0041).