Glaucoma is used in reference to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage of the nerve that transmits signals to the brain- the optic nerve. It is the damage to this nerve that leads to vision loss. When the pressure inside the eyes, called intraocular pressure, is increased too much, the eyes will likely get damaged. This is among the leading causes of blindness. The damage to vision occurs so gradually that one may fail to realize until the condition is advanced. For those suffering from glaucoma San Antonio offers various options of treatment.
The most common type is the primary-angle glaucoma. It has no noticeable signs or symptoms except for the fact that the seriousness increases gradually. When diagnosis is done early and treatment scheduled, damage to the optic nerve is minimized and any vision loss related to it avoided. The eyes should be examined regularly and this should include measurement of intraocular pressure.
The most common types of this condition, primary open-angle and angle-closure, have very varying symptoms. The former has two main types; tunnel vision during advanced stages and gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes. The latter has symptoms such as eye pain, blurred vision, vomiting, nausea and sudden onset of visual disturbance. The conditions are referred to as primary when the cause is unknown and secondary when its cause can be traced to known causes.
Patients should not wait for symptoms to be noticeable. The key to early detection is to go for regular eye check-ups. In case one realizes severe pain in the eyes, strong headaches, blurred vision, nausea or halos around the eye, immediate care should be sought. Otherwise, one may risk seeking medical attention when it is too late.
The increased pressure in the eyes is as a result of build-up of aqueous humor which is the fluid that flows into and out of eyes. Normally, the fluid leaves eyes via a drainage system. This system is at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. Whenever the drainage system fails to effectively work, the fluid cannot filter out of eyes normally. This is the cause of build-up of pressure in the eyes.
Among the many causes of glaucoma, there are risk factors that enhance possibility of suffering from it. One such factor is age, with people over 40 the most affected when it comes to angle-closure glaucoma. For the African Americans, there is a higher risk of developing the condition, plus it takes place in younger people. Mexican-Americans over 60 years are at increased risk.
People with a family history of the condition are more prone to suffer from it. There also is a defect on one or more genes and this makes some people more at risk than others. Further, heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure are some of the medical conditions that increase risk of glaucoma.
The main aim of treatment is reduction of pressure in the eyes. For treatment of this condition, the doctors may lower pressure of eyes, improve drainage of the eyes and also reduce amount of fluid produced in the eyes. It cannot be cured and damages resulting from it cannot be reversed. However, early detection prevents vision loss.
The most common type is the primary-angle glaucoma. It has no noticeable signs or symptoms except for the fact that the seriousness increases gradually. When diagnosis is done early and treatment scheduled, damage to the optic nerve is minimized and any vision loss related to it avoided. The eyes should be examined regularly and this should include measurement of intraocular pressure.
The most common types of this condition, primary open-angle and angle-closure, have very varying symptoms. The former has two main types; tunnel vision during advanced stages and gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes. The latter has symptoms such as eye pain, blurred vision, vomiting, nausea and sudden onset of visual disturbance. The conditions are referred to as primary when the cause is unknown and secondary when its cause can be traced to known causes.
Patients should not wait for symptoms to be noticeable. The key to early detection is to go for regular eye check-ups. In case one realizes severe pain in the eyes, strong headaches, blurred vision, nausea or halos around the eye, immediate care should be sought. Otherwise, one may risk seeking medical attention when it is too late.
The increased pressure in the eyes is as a result of build-up of aqueous humor which is the fluid that flows into and out of eyes. Normally, the fluid leaves eyes via a drainage system. This system is at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. Whenever the drainage system fails to effectively work, the fluid cannot filter out of eyes normally. This is the cause of build-up of pressure in the eyes.
Among the many causes of glaucoma, there are risk factors that enhance possibility of suffering from it. One such factor is age, with people over 40 the most affected when it comes to angle-closure glaucoma. For the African Americans, there is a higher risk of developing the condition, plus it takes place in younger people. Mexican-Americans over 60 years are at increased risk.
People with a family history of the condition are more prone to suffer from it. There also is a defect on one or more genes and this makes some people more at risk than others. Further, heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure are some of the medical conditions that increase risk of glaucoma.
The main aim of treatment is reduction of pressure in the eyes. For treatment of this condition, the doctors may lower pressure of eyes, improve drainage of the eyes and also reduce amount of fluid produced in the eyes. It cannot be cured and damages resulting from it cannot be reversed. However, early detection prevents vision loss.
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If you are suffering from glaucoma San Antonio has the very best eye center in the country. Make an appointment today and see clearer with the help of our specialists at http://www.saeye.com.
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