What Is Glaucoma and How Is It Treated?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages your optic nerve, and when left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. Among adults over age 40, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. All this sounds scary, but the critical thing to remember is you can help yourself by getting regular eye exams for glaucoma from an eye doctor near you. If you live in the San Antonio area, our optometrists at Vision Plus offer a medical eye care plan that includes screening for glaucoma. The earlier it is detected, the better your chance of saving your sight!

What is Glaucoma?

The most common form of glaucoma (open-angle) occurs when the fluid that flows in your eye doesn't drain properly. This lack of drainage causes your intraocular pressure to increase. As the pressure on your eye rises over time, it damages to your optic nerve. Open-angle glaucoma doesn't usually have any symptoms until it is at an advanced stage.

Another type of glaucoma, called angle-closure, happens when your iris bulges and pressure increases because the fluid doesn't circulate. Angle-closure glaucoma can happen suddenly, with symptoms including blurry vision, headaches, and nausea.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history, African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage, eye injuries, a thin optic nerve, health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, and long-term steroid usage.

What Can You Do?

There are things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy, such as exercising, eating a nutritious diet, stopping smoking, and protecting your eyes from UV rays. The most important thing you can do is get an annual eye exam to test for glaucoma. Without this exam, you won't know if you have glaucoma, and can't begin a glaucoma treatment plan that may include eye drops and medication to reduce the pressure.

Contact Our Eye Doctors at Vision Plus

Don't take a chance with your sight. Look for an optometrist near you, or if you are in San Antonio, make an appointment with our eye doctors at Vision Plus for all your medical eye care needs.