The condition known as glaucoma is not just a single eye disease but a combination of conditions that lead to damage of the optic nerve. The damage of this nerve leads to loss of vision. Whenever there is an increase in intraocular pressure, the eyes are likely to get damaged. When considering glaucoma San Antonio residents ought to remember that it is among the leading causes of blindness. With this condition, vision is damaged so slowly that one may fail to realize. Most people realize only during the advanced stages.
Of the various types of this condition, the most common is primary-angle glaucoma. This has no noticeable symptoms other than the fact that it becomes more defined during the advanced stages. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, any damage to the optic nerve may be prevented. During the periodic examination of the eyes, there should be measurement of intraocular pressure.
The two most common forms of this infection, that is angle closure and open-angle, have symptoms that are very varied. The two main symptoms of the latter type are gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes and tunnel vision when it is in the advanced stages. The former has such symptoms as blurred vision, eye pain, nausea, vomiting and sudden onset of disturbance of vision. When the cause is unknown, the condition is referred to as primary. When the causes can be traced, it is referred to as secondary.
Patients should not wait for symptoms to be noticeable. The key to early detection is to go for regular eye check-ups. In case one realizes severe pain in the eyes, strong headaches, blurred vision, nausea or halos around the eye, immediate care should be sought. Otherwise, one may risk seeking medical attention when it is too late.
There is the fluid known as aqueous humor that flows in and out of eyes. When the fluid builds up inside the eye, there is increased pressure. This fluid gets out of the eye via a drainage system that is at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. If in any case the drainage system does not work well, then the fluid does not filter normally from the eyes. There is thus pressure build-up in the eyes.
There are certain risk factors that one should be wary of. Age is one such crucial factor. People over 40 years are at risk of suffering from angle-closure glaucoma. For certain groups such as African-Americans, the risk development of the eye condition is much higher and takes place in younger people. For Mexican-Americans, those older than 60 are at a higher risk.
Persons that have a family history of glaucoma have a greater risk of development. There is a genetic link to the condition, which means that there is a defect in one or more genes which makes some individuals to be more susceptible to the disease. Medical conditions that may increase risk of infection are high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases.
The treatment is mainly used to reduce pressure of the eyes. The pressure of the eyes is lowered, the drainage system improved or the quantity of fluid reduced. The condition itself cannot be cured. It is the damages that are minimized and vision loss prevented.
Of the various types of this condition, the most common is primary-angle glaucoma. This has no noticeable symptoms other than the fact that it becomes more defined during the advanced stages. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, any damage to the optic nerve may be prevented. During the periodic examination of the eyes, there should be measurement of intraocular pressure.
The two most common forms of this infection, that is angle closure and open-angle, have symptoms that are very varied. The two main symptoms of the latter type are gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes and tunnel vision when it is in the advanced stages. The former has such symptoms as blurred vision, eye pain, nausea, vomiting and sudden onset of disturbance of vision. When the cause is unknown, the condition is referred to as primary. When the causes can be traced, it is referred to as secondary.
Patients should not wait for symptoms to be noticeable. The key to early detection is to go for regular eye check-ups. In case one realizes severe pain in the eyes, strong headaches, blurred vision, nausea or halos around the eye, immediate care should be sought. Otherwise, one may risk seeking medical attention when it is too late.
There is the fluid known as aqueous humor that flows in and out of eyes. When the fluid builds up inside the eye, there is increased pressure. This fluid gets out of the eye via a drainage system that is at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. If in any case the drainage system does not work well, then the fluid does not filter normally from the eyes. There is thus pressure build-up in the eyes.
There are certain risk factors that one should be wary of. Age is one such crucial factor. People over 40 years are at risk of suffering from angle-closure glaucoma. For certain groups such as African-Americans, the risk development of the eye condition is much higher and takes place in younger people. For Mexican-Americans, those older than 60 are at a higher risk.
Persons that have a family history of glaucoma have a greater risk of development. There is a genetic link to the condition, which means that there is a defect in one or more genes which makes some individuals to be more susceptible to the disease. Medical conditions that may increase risk of infection are high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases.
The treatment is mainly used to reduce pressure of the eyes. The pressure of the eyes is lowered, the drainage system improved or the quantity of fluid reduced. The condition itself cannot be cured. It is the damages that are minimized and vision loss prevented.
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