Glaucoma: What To Look For

Actually, the most common form of chronic glaucoma in its early stages has no warning signs. As glaucoma progresses, symptoms may include frequent mild headaches; increased difficulty with night vision; a noticeable loss of peripheral vision; recurring redness in one or both eyes, especially if accompanied by blurred vision and/or pain. Glaucoma most often occurs in adults over 40 years old and families with a history of it.

Eye Exams
Your trained eye care specialist will test you in a simple, painless test that measures the pressure or "hardness" of your eye. During your exam he will also evaluate the retina and the optic nerve. Upon examination, if the pressure is unusually high or the optic nerve appears to be abnormal, your doctor may suggest that you undergo a visual field test to determine if any side (peripheral) vision has been lost.

Treatment
If detected, glaucoma can be treated in various manners: medications (drops), lasers or conventional surgery.

Glaucoma Surgery (Laser)
In most cases, eye drops will be the initial treatment. If eye drops or oral medications fail to control glaucoma, then your eye care physician may suggest laser treatment ,which today, is a popular method for treatment.

Trabecular Surgery
The "trabecular meshwork" is a fine net of fibers between the cornea and the iris. If fluid is blocked from passing through this net, pressure on the eye builds, and therefore, pinching the optic nerve. A procedure called a "trabeculectomy" removes a tiny section or the "meshwork" from a channel through which the fluid drains.

Finally.....
The key to successful treatment of glaucoma is early detection. It is important that adults 35 years old and over should have a complete eye exam every year, especially patients that have a past family history of the disease. Untreated, glaucoma causes continual buildup of fluid pressure within the eye which leads to loss of side vision and eventual blindness.

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