Glaucoma is a term that refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in your eye and is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. However, blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early detection and treatment.

 

What Causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This occurs when the fluid in the front part of the eye, in front of the lens, doesn't circulate the way it should and increases pressure in the eye, damaging the optic nerve.

There are different types of glaucoma, including open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma is caused by blocked drainage canals, leading to a sudden rise in intraocular pressure.

Other less common causes of glaucoma include a blunt or chemical injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blockage of blood vessels in the eye, inflammatory conditions, and occasionally eye surgery to correct another condition.

 

The First Signs of Glaucoma

The first signs and symptoms of glaucoma often vary depending on the type and stage of your condition. For example, in the early stages of open-angle glaucoma, there may be no symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may gradually lose your peripheral vision.

Symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma are more noticeable, and damage occurs more quickly. Signs and symptoms of this type may include severe headache, eye pain, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, halos around lights, and eye redness.

It's important to note that experiencing these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have glaucoma, but they are a prompt to seek medical attention. If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually lead to blindness.

 

Routine Eye Exams for Early Detection of Glaucoma

Routine eye exams are crucial for the early detection of glaucoma. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will perform several tests to fully evaluate the health of your eyes. These may include measuring intraocular pressure, testing for optic nerve damage with a dilated eye examination and imaging tests, checking for areas of vision loss with a visual field test, and measuring corneal thickness.

Regular eye exams can help detect glaucoma in its early stages before significant damage occurs. Because glaucoma often has no symptoms until it's advanced, waiting until you notice a change in your vision may be too late.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a comprehensive eye exam for all adults starting at age 40, and every one to two years after age 65. If you have risk factors for glaucoma, you may need more frequent screenings.

 

Conclusion

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss. However, with early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against severe vision loss and blindness. Regular eye exams are critical, especially if you have risk factors for the disease.

Don't wait for symptoms of glaucoma to appear. Take a proactive approach to eye health and schedule your next eye exam with our optometrist at Premier Eye Care Optometry in our San Bernardino, California, office. Call (909) 757-0700 to book an appointment today.