27th of March, 2017
Glaucoma: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment.
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve of the eye. It can cause loss of vision, pain and blindness in some cases.
There are two types of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma has the least amount of signs and the damage is permanent. Sadly this is the most common type of glaucoma and gives very little warning. Regular visits to the eye doctor are necessary for early detection. In this type of glaucoma, the eye's drainage angle becomes blocked and due to excess fluid and pressure, the nerve deteriorates.
The second type of glaucoma is Angle-closure glaucoma. It gives a lot more warning and has the following signs and symptoms: blurry vision, severe eye pain or headaches, red eyes, nausea, rainbow/halo type-pattern around bright lights. The drainage angle becomes very narrow and slowly becomes blocked.
Although glaucoma does affect the older population significantly more often, children can also get congenital glaucoma. The symptoms in children usually include photosensitivity, watery and cloudy eyes.You are likely to get glaucoma if someone in your family had it. If you are diabetic you also have an increased risk for glaucoma. The chances of glaucoma increase with age as well.
Accurate treatment for glaucoma should come from a doctor. Glaucoma is diagnosed through the dilation of pupils and examination of the eye by a medical professional. Treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser eye surgery, and microsurgery to drain the eye of excess fluids.
Please refer to your health care professional if you feel you may have glaucoma. Don't wait until it is too late!