Early Signs of Glaucoma

One of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60 is glaucoma. It is a group of eye conditions that affect the optic nerve. Not all types have symptoms in the early stages, making it vital that you get regular eye care. Early diagnosis is key in controlling glaucoma. At Vision Plus in San Antonio and Bandera, TX, our eye doctor detects glaucoma and will help you manage it to preserve your vision.

Early Symptoms

Two main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.
In open-angle glaucoma, there are almost no early signs. The disease is quite advanced by the time these symptoms appear:

• Gradual loss of vision in the peripheral area
• Sharpness of vision gradually decreases over time

In angle-closure glaucoma, the early signs are:

• Blurred or hazy vision
• Rainbow-colored circles appear around bright lights
• Severe head and eye pain
• Vomiting or nausea, along with severe eye pain
• Sudden loss of sight

In angle-closure glaucoma, the onset of the symptoms is sudden and severe. Immediate attention from our eye doctor is important.

Treatment for Glaucoma

If you ignore the symptoms and don't treat glaucoma, chances are higher that you will lose your vision. This is a serious condition. As many as 10% of those with glaucoma will lose their vision, even though they do everything right as far as treatment goes.

Once vision is lost, it cannot be regained. There is no cure for glaucoma, but you can slow its progression. Open-angle glaucoma is a chronic condition and will need to be watched for the entire lifetime. It is treated with eye drops to reduce the pressure in the eye.

With angle-closure glaucoma, pressure is lowered with medication. A laser can be used to put a small hole in the iris to help fluid start to flow within the eye again.

Visit Our Optometrist in San Antonio and Bandera, TX for Glaucoma Diagnosis

It is vital to get tested for glaucoma regularly. At Vision Plus in San Antonio and Bandera, TX, our optometrist diagnoses glaucoma and will provide treatment options. Call us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more.