Glaucoma, also known as the ‘silent thief of sight,’ is one of the most concerning eye conditions. Before jumping to the facts, let us first briefly understand what glaucoma is. In all types of glaucoma, the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, gets damaged because of excessive eye pressure. Based on how severe the condition is, the modes of treatment include eye drops for glaucoma, oral medication, and surgical procedures.
You might have heard bits and pieces of information about glaucoma from other people. But relying on word of mouth is not an ideal way to gather information, especially on sensitive organs like eyes. So, here we have a list of 5 important facts about glaucoma that will make you more aware of it.
- Glaucoma has damaging effects on the optic nerve. The optic nerve in the eye is responsible for light signals from the eye and sends them to the brain for image formation. When the nerve cells get damaged, it disturbs the flow of signals from the eye to the brain.
- Anyone can suffer from glaucoma. Though glaucoma eye disease is most commonly seen in individuals aged above 45 years, infants and children may also experience early development of glaucoma. People who resonate with the following causes of glaucoma risk factors must get an eye check without delay:
- African Americans who are above the age of 40 years
- People above the age of 60
- Family history of glaucoma (especially if your sibling has glaucoma)
- There are no identifiable symptoms of Glaucoma until much damage is done Initially, the excessive fluid build-up does not usually cause any difficulty or symptoms but keeps getting severe with time. Signs of glaucoma come into notice when the condition has become severe and the damage is irreversible.
- Early detection through regular eye checkups can prevent severe damage Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive dilated eye checkup. The eye medicine for glaucoma drops dilate the pupil and allows the doctor to examine the eye for any underlying condition. People who are at higher risk of glaucoma should get an eye check-up done every six months or at least once a year.
- Only proper glaucoma treatment can lower eye pressure Eye specialists prescribe eye medicine for glaucoma depending upon the type of glaucoma. Based on your diagnosis, doctors usually prescribe eye drops for glaucoma that can either make the eyes produce less fluid, whereas the other type of eye drops reduce the eye pressure by aiding in fluid drainage.Take Away Your eyes are precious and allow you to make the best out of life. Paying attention to eye care and going for regular eye checkups, once every six months, is the key to keeping your and your loved ones’ eyes safe and beautiful. Even serious consequences of glaucoma can be prevented to a major extent through timely thorough checkups from an eye specialist. To get a proper eye checkup for you and your family, get in touch with the Centre for Sight. We have specialized eye doctors who are well conversant with advanced treatments for glaucoma and many other ailments related to the eye.Searching for the right ophthalmologist to ensure the best care for your eyes? Explore our blog post to make an informed decision.
