While certain eye diseases and conditions are more obvious, some conditions are difficult to notice in the early stages. Glaucoma is one such condition that can seriously harm one's vision without professional treatment. Glaucoma treatment involves an optometrist applying customized care to help prevent symptoms from getting worse and providing pain relief for the individual patient.
Glaucoma treatment is offered at Carmi Eye Care in Carmi and the surrounding area. The term glaucoma refers to a group of eye disorders that cause damage to a person's optic nerve, typically due to the high pressure it creates in the eye.
If you notice changes in your vision or have a family history of glaucoma, call us at (618) 374-0513 and schedule an appointment today.
The optic nerve is essential for clear vision. A damaged optical nerve can lead to permanent blindness. Glaucoma can affect people of all ages, but it is more likely to affect seniors. Glaucoma has many different forms that each come with unique symptoms or warning signs.
Most people with glaucoma do not notice any changes to their vision until their condition reaches an advanced stage. It is not possible to reverse vision loss that results from glaucoma. This is why it is important to diagnose Glaucoma early to prevent blindness from occurring. This is one of the many reasons why senior eye care is so important.
Optometrists recommend yearly eye examinations for all those who over the age of 60. When glaucoma is detected early on, the vision loss that typically comes with it can be prevented or, at least, slowed down. People diagnosed with glaucoma usually need glaucoma treatment for the rest of their lives. Types of glaucoma include:
Open-angle glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage system in the eye gets partially blocked. It is the most common type of glaucoma.
Angle-closure glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks the drainage path. This can also occur if the patient has a more narrow drainage system.
Normal-tension glaucoma
Normal-tension glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve sustains damage despite the patient having healthy eye pressure.
Pigmentary glaucoma
Pigmentary glaucoma occurs when pigment granules that part with the iris build up in the drainage system in the eyes.
The symptoms and signs of open-angle glaucoma can vary depending on the person's condition and the type of glaucoma. Possible symptoms include:
For the acute angle-closure variety, the symptoms include:
While medical professionals do not fully understand how increased eye pressure damages the eyes, but glaucoma is the result of damaged optic nerves. A person's eye pressure builds up due to a collection of aqueous humor, a fluid that flows through the insides of the eyes. This fluid usually drains through a tissue known as the trabecular meshwork.
When the drainage system does not work properly or produces more fluid than the eyes need, the person's eye pressure increases. While the conditions that lead to glaucoma typically runs in families, other risk factors include:
After examining the patient's eyes, we will determine the most effective treatment option for their level of glaucoma. With that in mind, we may:
The treatment techniques we use aim to prevent the condition from leading to permanent damage or minimizing the damage that is already present. Treatment options can include prescription eye drops and oral medication. While surgery and laser treatments are a possibility, the type of treatment we recommend will vary per the patient.
To learn more about our glaucoma treatment, call us at (618) 374-0513 and schedule an appointment.