|
People who have their eyes regularly checked with either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist as part of a routine eye exam will be as part of the exam tested for a serious eye disease known as glaucoma. This is a relatively silent disease that can strike at anytime, and when symptoms are finally detected, for some it may be too late.
There are two types of glaucoma--acute and chronic. Thankfully the acute form is rare, but nonetheless when it does occur, immediate treatment should be sought to prevent permanent loss of vision.
Basically, glaucoma is a condition where pressures will build up within the eyeball. It is like a sink that is filling up with water, and with the drain closed. If you place some kind of a flexible cover over the sink, the cover will start to bulge outward. Similarly, this is what happens inside the eyeball, and if left untreated can lead to impaired vision or permanent blindness.
The eye normally discharges this buildup of fluid through a network of tissues called a “drainage angle.” Problems begin when proper drainage within the eyeball does not take place through this area called the “drainage angle,” which is located between the iris and the cornea. As long as this “drainage angle” does not function correctly, the pressures will continue to build in the eyeball, and this in turn will reduce the blood flow to the retina and the optic nerve.
Without nourishment from the blood, fibers of the optic nerve can die. The person’s vision starts to dim, and if left further untreated this can and most often does lead to permanent blindness.
This condition is easily treated through the use of a laser, i.e. by creating a small opening in the iris to relieve the pressure, or even creating a new opening that will successfully correct this potentially debilitating disease.
Some of the early symptoms to watch out for are blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, teary eyes, and headaches. In the more serious forms there can be sudden eye pain, again blurred vision, halos of lights, even nausea and vomiting.
Other treatments involved in this disease are injections and medications that will help alleviate the pressure behind the eyeball.
Thankfully, glaucoma is treatable, especially the acute form and even if that is present, proper immediate treatment will restore normal vision. In chronic glaucoma, early detection is the only known cure at this time.
If a person is taking certain medications such as for asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, or an antidepressant, they should regularly scheduled an eye exam as certain medication can bring on symptoms of this disease.
By having the eyes examined every three to five years, especially for persons over 40 will provide an early enough detection if glaucoma is indeed present.
| 
