Currently, glaucoma is the second top reason many individuals lose their sense of sight. In the United States alone, around three million of the population are affected with this disease. Dr. Joel H. McGahen, O.D., your trusted optometrist, believes that promoting awareness of this condition can help stop its increasing prevalence. Here are some things you should know about this eye problem:
How Glaucoma Develops
Your eyes produce fluids to help maintain its pressure. They normally flow out through a trabecular meshwork found in the angle between your cornea and iris. If this channel gets blocked, the liquid may accumulate, resulting in increased intraocular pressure (IOP). This may compress the optic nerve, interrupting the conversion of light rays into nerve signals. You may experience visual changes or even vision loss when this is left unmanaged.
Types and Their Respective Manifestations
According to your reliable eye doctor, glaucoma is generally classified as open or wide-angle or close or narrow-angle. The former occurs when your eye fluids ineffectively drain out of your eye’s anterior chamber, despite the angle being unobstructed. It’s an asymptomatic eye disease that causes gradual vision loss, which is why it’s often referred to as the silent thief of sight.
Close or narrow-angle glaucoma, on the other hand, develops when blocked drainage canals prevent the efficient emptying of your eye fluids. This leads to eye fluid build-up and increased IOP. Although less common, it’s often associated with sudden vision changes, such as blurry eyesight, halos around lights, and poor night vision. It may also lead to total and permanent blindness without immediate management.
Diagnosis and Treatment
We’ll first perform a comprehensive eye exam which may include a tonometry test to measure your IOP. For results above 12-22 mmHg, we may prescribe IOP-reducing eye drops. We may also suggest using high-prescription eyeglasses or other optical devices for your better visual acuity. For more severe cases, we may advise performing laser or microsurgery to remove any blockages or create new drainage channels.
For more information about glaucoma, call us at (717) 609-4443 or complete our <a href=”https://www.4patientcare.ws/v5dn/ws/wsv3p.aspx?CoverKey=2087