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A progressive condition that damages the eyes’ optic nerves, glaucoma is among the main causes for blindness in people over 60. Typically, symptoms don’t emerge until the disease’s later stages, making preventive, routine screenings essential. Here’s more information about glaucoma, including the symptoms and how the disease is treated.

What to Know About Glaucoma

What Happens

As the optic nerves deteriorate, fluid builds up in the front of the eyes. This fluid usually flows out of the eyes; however, this channel can become blocked, which causes glaucoma. Fluid buildup puts pressure on the eyes, causing damage.

Types

Glaucoma comes in two main forms, open-angle and angle-closure. In open-angle glaucoma, vision loss is extremely gradual. Peripheral vision changes occur in both eyes before later-stage tunnel vision. The less-common angle-closure version is associated with cataracts and farsightedness, and it causes fluid buildup and pressure.

The acute version of angle-closure can cause blindness in as little as two days and includes uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, severe eye pain, halos around lights, blurred vision, and eye reddening. Symptoms of chronic angle-closure are more gradual and similar to open-angle glaucoma.

Prevention & Treatment

glaucomaPrescription eye drops and oral medications control the disease’s symptoms, while laser surgery provides more lasting solutions. All procedures, including trabeculoplasty and iridotomy, promote efficient fluid drainage from the eyes to reduce pressure.

The best plan of action is prevention, which includes scheduling glaucoma screenings as part of your regular eye exams. Since injuries can also cause fluid buildup and pressure problems, you should wear eye protection during contact sports and other intense physical activities.

 

If you’re overdue for a glaucoma screening, contact the team at the Hawaii Vision Clinic in Aiea and Kaka’ako. These professionals use state-of-the-art equipment to catch early signs of eye conditions, like cataracts and macular degeneration. Learn more about their vision services online, or call (808) 487-7938  to schedule an appointment. Connect with the team on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

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