Glaucoma is second only to cataracts as the world’s leading cause of blindness. By the time you experience symptoms, glaucoma has advanced to the point where saving your sight is difficult. By scheduling regular eye exams at Livermore Optometry Group in Livermore, CA, you are allowing our optometrist to diagnose glaucoma and recommend treatment options before vision loss is allowed to occur.
What is Glaucoma?
Normally, some fluid drains out of the eye every day. If the drain is blocked, the fluid can’t drain properly, raising the eye’s inner pressure. If the pressure stays high for long periods, it eventually damages the optic nerve, which is crucial for seeing as it sends images from the retina to the brain.
Types of Glaucoma
There are several eye conditions lumped under the name “glaucoma.” The most common type is primary open-angle glaucoma. Vision loss happens very slowly, so getting yearly eye exams is a must to prevent going blind. One of the most serious types of glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma. This can cause you to go blind quickly if not treated promptly. Symptoms include a severe headache, pain in one or both eyes, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and other vision changes. If experiencing these symptoms, get to a hospital immediately.
Is Glaucoma Curable?
If you have already lost some vision from glaucoma, it will never come back. Glaucoma treatment works to stop you from losing any more of your sight.
Treatments for Glaucoma
Treatments depend on what type of glaucoma you have and how bad your symptoms are. Common options include medicated eye drops and surgery.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma
People most likely to get glaucoma are over 60, Hispanics, Asians, or African-Americans, have close relatives with glaucoma or suffer from illnesses like high blood pressure or diabetes that raise the pressure in the eyes. Anyone that has had eye surgery, or a head or eye injury is also at risk. Taking eyedrops with corticosteroids for a long time can also make you more susceptible to getting glaucoma.
What an Eye Exam for Glaucoma is Like
Drops are placed in your eyes to dilate your pupils. This makes it easy for our optometrist to see the back of your eyes. It can take hours for your pupils to go back to normal. This may cause migraines or make it difficult to see. It’s best to have someone drive you home from your appointment just in case.
Schedule an Eye Exam with Our Optometrist for Glaucoma Treatment in Livermore, CA
If you still have questions about glaucoma and live in the Livermore, CA area, contact Livermore Optometry Group today. Call us at (925) 447-2957 for more information on glaucoma or to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist.
