Understanding Glaucoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is important to understand what causes it, the symptoms that accompany it, and the various treatments available to manage it. It is also important to reach out to an experienced ophthalmologist like Dr. Dolan from 2020 Vision and call 248 375 0040 to schedule an appointment if you think you might have glaucoma.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the nerve responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain. This damage usually occurs as a result of increased fluid pressure inside the eye, which puts pressure on the optic nerve and causes it to gradually deteriorate over time.

Glaucoma is often referred to as “the silent thief of sight” because it can cause irreversible vision loss without any noticeable symptoms until the later stages of the disease.

Causes of Glaucoma

The causes of glaucoma are not yet fully understood. However, it is known that the disease is more common in people over the age of 60, those with a family history of glaucoma, people with other medical conditions such as diabetes, and those who have had a previous eye injury or surgery. Additionally, people of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

In the early stages of glaucoma, there may be no noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, the following symptoms may develop:

– Blurred vision
– Loss of peripheral vision
– Halos around lights
– Tunnel vision
– Severe eye pain or headache
– Nausea and vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment for Glaucoma

Although there is no known cure for glaucoma, there are a number of treatment options available to manage the disease and prevent further vision loss. These include:

– Eye drops: These are the most common form of treatment and work by reducing the amount of fluid in the eye, thereby lowering eye pressure.
– Laser therapy: During this procedure, a laser is used to help drain fluid from the eye, reducing eye pressure.
– Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to create a new drainage channel to reduce eye pressure.

Contact Dr. Dolan from 2020 Vision

If you suspect you may have glaucoma, it is important to schedule an eye exam with an experienced ophthalmologist like Dr. Dolan from 2020 Vision. Dr. Dolan will be able to diagnose the disease and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan to manage it. Don’t wait until it’s too late — call 248 375 0040 to schedule an appointment today.