What is Glaucoma?

In adults over the age of 60, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. Once glaucoma has damaged your vision, it cannot be repaired. The best defense against glaucoma is to see an eye doctor for regular eye exams. If you are in or near San Antonio, TX, visit our optometrist at Vision Plus for the best eye care.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve. This is usually due to increased interocular pressure. The optic nerve transfers visual images from your eyes to your brain, so damage to it can cause blindness in one eye or both eyes.

Who Gets Glaucoma?

Anyone can get glaucoma, although we primarily see it in older adults. Genetics can also play a significant factor in being at risk for glaucoma. If a family member has glaucoma, that can put you at more risk, so frequent eye exams are crucial. Many preexisting eye conditions can increase your risk for glaucoma. People born with thin corneas experience pressure in their eyes that is higher than usual, leading to glaucoma. There are specific eye injuries and eye diseases that can cause glaucoma. Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness can also increase your chance of getting glaucoma.

How to Treat Glaucoma

Because glaucoma often doesn't have any symptoms until it is at an advanced stage, frequent visits to an optometrist can lead to early detection. Our optometrist can start you on a regimen to save your eyesight by preventing further damage. You can also do things to try to lower your eye pressure, such as eating a healthy diet, maintaining a good BMI/body weight, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and switching from coffee to tea. When you first visit our office, our eye doctor will assess your condition to determine whether or not your vision difficulties are due to glaucoma and recommend treatment accordingly.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist for Glaucoma Treatment in San Antonio, TX

At Vision Plus, we have provided residents of San Antonio, TX, with reliable eye care services for many years. Many of our patients visit us for the first time to be assessed for glaucoma. Call us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.