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One of the leading causes of blindness for individuals over 60 years of age is glaucoma, a group of serious eye conditions. Fortunately, with early detection, the vision loss that is caused by glaucoma can be slowed or prevented. For more information on the underlying causes and treatments, here’s a helpful guide.

4 Glaucoma FAQs

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually because of high pressure in the eye. Left untreated, glaucoma will worsen over time, leading to vision loss or even blindness. Fortunately, with regular eye exams and an early diagnosis, the loss of vision can be treated.

What causes it?

glaucomaGlaucoma is typically caused by a large amount of fluid pressure which builds up in the front of the eye. Other less common causes include eye injury, severe infection, or an inflammatory eye condition. Generally, glaucoma is inherited and tends to surface after age 40. Unfortunately, most people don’t experience any warning signs or symptoms, which is why it’s critical to visit your eye doctor for regular exams. However, loss of peripheral vision, blurred vision, or tunnel vision are indicators a problem may exist.

How is it typically treated?

There are a number of treatments for glaucoma, ranging from medicines, to laser therapy, to surgery. While these treatments can successfully save what vision remains, they are not retroactive and will not address sight that has been previously lost. If glaucoma is caught early on, prescription eye drops are usually provided as treatment. These drops work to lessen eye pressure and drain fluid from the eye. Laser trabeculoplasty is another treatment that’s performed with a high-intensity beam of light that increases your eye’s ability to drain fluids. Surgery is typically a last resort, used only when the aforementioned methods have failed to drain fluid. With conventional surgery, a small piece of tissue is removed to create a channel which helps eye fluid drain.

Who is at risk?

Individuals over the age of 60 have the greatest risk for glaucoma, particularly if the disease runs in the family. Outside of genetic predispositions, those at greater risk include people of black, Hispanic, or Asian descent, extremely near- or far-sighted individuals, those who have experienced eye trauma or injury, and those with high intraocular pressure.

 

To help catch glaucoma early on and prevent it from progressing, turn to TriState Centers For Sight. For over 25 years, this reputable group of eye doctors and ophthalmologists has provided patients with eye care and surgeries including laser eye surgery, cataract surgery, and oculoplastic surgery in the Northern Kentucky and greater Cincinnati areas. To schedule your eye care appointment, give them a call today at (859) 331-6616 or visit them online for more information.

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