The condition known as glaucoma is not just a single eye disease but a combination of conditions that lead to damage of the optic nerve. The damage of this nerve leads to loss of vision. Whenever there is an increase in intraocular pressure, the eyes are likely to get damaged. When considering glaucoma San Antonio residents ought to remember that it is among the leading causes of blindness. With this condition, vision is damaged so slowly that one may fail to realize. Most people realize only during the advanced stages.
Of the various types of this condition, the most common is primary-angle glaucoma. This has no noticeable symptoms other than the fact that it becomes more defined during the advanced stages. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, any damage to the optic nerve may be prevented. During the periodic examination of the eyes, there should be measurement of intraocular pressure.
The two most common forms of this infection, that is angle closure and open-angle, have symptoms that are very varied. The two main symptoms of the latter type are gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes and tunnel vision when it is in the advanced stages. The former has such symptoms as blurred vision, eye pain, nausea, vomiting and sudden onset of disturbance of vision. When the cause is unknown, the condition is referred to as primary. When the causes can be traced, it is referred to as secondary.
Individuals are not supposed to wait until the symptoms are advanced. The key to avoiding suffering from this condition is to go for check-ups frequently. Whenever one realizes sharp pain in the eyes, blurred vision, strong headaches and nausea, they should seek medical advice. Otherwise, there is the risk of seeking medical care 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.
Some risk factors will make an individual more susceptible to the condition. Age is one of the crucial factors that determine how easily one may contract it. Persons that are 40 years and above are at more risk of contracting angle-closure glaucoma. African-Americans are more at risk of developing the condition, plus it affects much younger people. Mexican-Americans over 60 years are at higher 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.
Treatment is mainly scheduled to reduce eye pressure. The doctors may improve eye drainage, reduce amount of fluid produced in the eyes or lower the eye pressure. It should be noted that the condition cannot be cured, thus the aim is to prevent vision loss due to its effects.
Of the various types of this condition, the most common is primary-angle glaucoma. This has no noticeable symptoms other than the fact that it becomes more defined during the advanced stages. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, any damage to the optic nerve may be prevented. During the periodic examination of the eyes, there should be measurement of intraocular pressure.
The two most common forms of this infection, that is angle closure and open-angle, have symptoms that are very varied. The two main symptoms of the latter type are gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes and tunnel vision when it is in the advanced stages. The former has such symptoms as blurred vision, eye pain, nausea, vomiting and sudden onset of disturbance of vision. When the cause is unknown, the condition is referred to as primary. When the causes can be traced, it is referred to as secondary.
Individuals are not supposed to wait until the symptoms are advanced. The key to avoiding suffering from this condition is to go for check-ups frequently. Whenever one realizes sharp pain in the eyes, blurred vision, strong headaches and nausea, they should seek medical advice. Otherwise, there is the risk of seeking medical care 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.
Some risk factors will make an individual more susceptible to the condition. Age is one of the crucial factors that determine how easily one may contract it. Persons that are 40 years and above are at more risk of contracting angle-closure glaucoma. African-Americans are more at risk of developing the condition, plus it affects much younger people. Mexican-Americans over 60 years are at higher 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.
Treatment is mainly scheduled to reduce eye pressure. The doctors may improve eye drainage, reduce amount of fluid produced in the eyes or lower the eye pressure. It should be noted that the condition cannot be cured, thus the aim is to prevent vision loss due to its effects.
No comments:
Post a Comment