Glaucoma is an eye disease that can develop when the eye's optic nerve gets damaged. This damage is often due to high pressure inside the eye. In those over age 60, glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness. However, anyone of any age can have it. When glaucoma often starts, it develops without any symptoms for a while until it has progressed.
At that point, patients will have some vision loss. Yet, there is no cure for glaucoma, and if sight is lost, it can't be gotten back. That's why it's essential to find and treat glaucoma early. If you haven't had a glaucoma test, you can contact AssureVision at our Arlington Heights, or Barrington, IL, office to schedule your exam with the optometrist.
What Causes Glaucoma?
The optic nerve can become damaged, and then it will start to deteriorate. The aqueous fluid is the gel-like liquid inside the eyes. It is supposed to drain regularly, as more fluid is made to keep the eye healthy. However, when this fluid doesn't drain correctly, it can cause a buildup of this fluid inside the eye. It can also happen because the body makes too much of this thick fluid.
In either case, the higher eye pressure causes damage to the nerve in the back of the eye. Anyone can get glaucoma, but it tends to be more common in the elderly and those with a family illness. In addition, genes have been found that are thought to cause a person's eye pressure to be too high.
Common Glaucoma Symptoms
In the earliest stage of this eye disease, patients don't experience any symptoms. Then, it starts with problems concerning a patient's vision, although it happens so slowly that it takes a while to notice. Patients often begin to have blind spots in their peripheral or central vision during this time. It can also cause tunnel vision.
In addition, patients may get severe headaches, become nauseated, develop eye pain, red eyes, halos appearing around lights, and vomiting. These symptoms often start at the later stages of the disease once it has progressed. Therefore, it's essential to have regular eye exams so that you can be tested for glaucoma. These exams will allow the optometrist to find the disease early.
See Our Optometrist
Don't put it off if you're due for an eye exam. You must have your yearly exam and be tested for this severe eye disease. AssureVision has an office near you in Arlington Heights (847) 368-9999, or Barrington (224) 407-2020. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.
