What is Glaucoma; Causes, Treatments

Are you aware that you can improve your eye health and prevent eye problems such as glaucoma with healthy eating? Unfortunately, the condition develops gradually, and without treatments, it can lead to severe symptoms, including blindness. If you are seeking treatment for glaucoma in Hell’s Kitchen, Rusell Levine, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist, can help.

The cataract surgeon provides quality and personalized treatments to promote your health. Contact him today for an early cure and prevent future blindness.

Here is what you need to know about glaucoma.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is known for various conditions that cause optic nerve damage. Among the primary causes of glaucoma include excessively high eye pressure.

Glaucoma can occur in various people, but it is most common in older persons. It is a crucial cause of blindness in patients above 60 years. The condition has no cure, but it is possible to have a successful treatment when detected early. Hence, it is critical for patients at risk of glaucoma to have regular tests.

What is the different type of glaucoma?

There are various types of glaucoma, depending on the cause. They include;

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma occurs due to the slow clogging of the eye drainage canals. It increases the eye pressure over some time, causing optic nerve damage eventually. However, it is unlikely to notice the symptoms, making it the most common type of glaucoma, with up to nine out of 10 glaucoma cases.

Angle-closure glaucoma

This type of glaucoma develops when the iris protrudes outward. The nuisance narrows and clogs the drainage between your cornea and iris. The condition prevents fluids from moving through your eye, leading to high eye pressure.

Angle-closure glaucoma may occur suddenly or over some time.

Normal-tension glaucoma

Normal-tension glaucoma causes optic nerve damage even with normal eye pressure levels. There is no known cause of this type of glaucoma. But, you may be at risk of having normal-tension glaucoma if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.

Glaucoma in children

Glaucoma can develop in children and infants. Though in rare cases, the problem can result from an underlying medical condition or eye drainage blockages.

Symptoms

Glaucoma symptoms may vary depending on the type of glaucoma. They may include

•       Blurred vision
•       Eye redness
•       Eye pain
•       Severe headache
•       Patchy blind spots in your vision
•       Nausea and vomiting
•       Halos around lights

Diagnosis

Dr. Levine carries out a thorough eye examination and evaluates your medical history to ascertain you have glaucoma. The eye exam may include;

•       Drainage angle inspection
•       Testing your visual fields
•       Conducting an intraocular pressure check
•       Checking areas with vision loss
•       Testing for optic nerve damage

Treatment

Though you cannot reverse the glaucoma damage, some treatments and frequent eye check-ups can help prevent vision loss and improve your eye health. In addition, the treatments are more effective during the early stages.

The treatment techniques involve lowering the eye pressure. Based on your problem severity, the treatment options may include

•       Eyedrops
•       Laser treatments
•       Oral medications such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
•       Surgery

Consult a glaucoma specialist today

Glaucoma is a common eye condition affecting about 3 million Americans today. When left untreated, the disorder causes severe symptoms and blindness. Therefore, it is critical to seek early treatments to prevent vision loss and better your vision. Contact Dr. Levine today to help save your vision and promote eye health.