Glaucoma refers to a group of eye disorders that usually have few or no initial symptoms and eventually cause harm to the optic nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain. In most cases, glaucoma is associated with higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye (ocular hypertension). If untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness. GLAUCOMA
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THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye disorders that usually have few or no initial symptoms and eventually cause harm to the optic
nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain.
In most cases, glaucoma is associated with higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye (ocular hypertension). If untreated or
uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness.
GLAUCOMA
Open-angle Glaucoma There are many types of glaucoma, but the two most common types
are open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. Ninety percent
of the people who are diagnosed with glaucoma have the open-angle
type. Some of the symptoms of this type are tiny blind spots that
appear in our side or peripheral vision that get larger. You start with
a little blind spot and end up with no peripheral vision. Blurred vision
is another symptom. The elevated pressure of the fluid in the eye
causes the visual changes that accompany blurred vision. The
appearance of colored halos around lights is slight and confusing at
first. As it grows, the halos become more pronounced and you can’t
ignore it anymore, or pass it off as tired eyes. Some people think the
day is just hazy and that’s why they see the halos. When we enter a
dark room, it takes a few seconds for our eyes to adjust. A person
with glaucoma has trouble adjusting to the change from light to dark
and may not be able to see at all in a dark room. None of us see as
well in the dark as we do in daylight but we should be able to make
out objects after a few seconds. Some people chalk it up to needing
new glasses. No matter how many times they change their
prescriptions, their eye problems persist. Although they shouldn’t
have to keep changing their eyeglasses because routine eye exams
should include a check for glaucoma.
Closed-angle Glaucoma Closed-angle glaucoma is more serious. It accounts for only about
nine percent of the people with glaucoma. It occurs when the
opening between the cornea and iris narrows and the fluid cannot
get to the normal drainage channels. It results in fluid build-up and
intraocular pressure and it happens very quickly. Some of the
symptoms are severely blurred vision. This occurs because the fluid
builds up so fast. It can also be accompanied by severe eye and head
pain because of the intense pressure of the fluid build-up. Nausea and
vomiting is another symptom of closed-angle glaucoma. Any type of
severe pain can make us nauseous. Vomiting is frequently a side
effect of severe pain. The rainbow colored halos around bright lights
appears with both types of glaucoma. The difference is that with
closed-angle glaucoma, you don’t mistake it for haze or tired eyes.
Your vision is too poor by that time. Closed-angle glaucoma is also
accompanied by rapid loss of vision. The fast fluid build-up is
responsible for that.
If you already have glaucoma, then you know the symptoms. If not, then this
article will make you aware of what to look for. It will also show you how to
prevent glaucoma from occurring at all.Taking medications regularly, as
prescribed, is crucial to preventing vision-threatening damage. That is why it is
important for you to discuss side effects with your doctor. While every drug
has some potential side effects, it is important to note that many patients
experience no side effects at all. You and your doctor need to work as a team
in the battle against glaucoma.
SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA
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Prevent Glaucoma With Healthy Habits Good exercise and nutrition habits have as much effect on
our eye health as they do on the rest of our body’s health.
So eat your fruits and vegetables, exercise and relax your
eyes regularly and get plenty of sleep and glaucoma may
only be something you read about.
Fortunately, closed-angle glaucoma is uncommon,
but when it occurs, it is a true medical emergency.
Open-angle glaucoma sneaks up on us because it has
no early warning signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s
so important to have regular eye checkups and take
good care of our health.
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