Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Glaucoma on July 12, 2024
Glaucoma is the most common cause of preventable blindness worldwide. This eye condition causes progressive damage to the optic nerve.
Without treatment, it leads to vision loss and eventually blindness. Early detection and treatment are vital to preventing vision loss from glaucoma.
Keep reading to learn more about the most common symptoms of glaucoma and the treatment options accessible to you through EyeHealth Northwest.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
In the beginning, glaucoma may not cause any symptoms. Vision likely won’t be affected, but there may be excessive pressure in the eyes and early signs of nerve damage that are detectable during an eye exam.
Over time, there will be more damage to the optic nerve, and the fibers in the nerve will die off. When enough of the nerve is damaged, you will start to notice changes to your vision.
Early symptoms may include:
- Clouded vision
- Difficulty seeing when lighting conditions change or in low-light situations
- Changes to peripheral vision
Without treatment, the optic nerve damage will become more severe and lead to difficulty seeing objects in central vision and increasing peripheral vision loss. Eventually, untreated glaucoma can damage the optic nerve to the point that blindness occurs.
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma has a sudden onset and can cause rapid vision loss. With angle-closure glaucoma, there is a sudden increase in intraocular pressure that can lead to irreversible damage.
Symptoms of acute angle closure glaucoma include:
- Severe headache
- Severe eye pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Halos or colored rings around lights
This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you suspect you have acute angle-closure glaucoma, you should call your eye doctor or go to an emergency room immediately.
Early Detection of Glaucoma
There is no known way to prevent glaucoma. It can be detected during routine eye exams, allowing for prompt treatment before you experience any vision loss.
Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest can do painless, non-invasive screenings that check your intraocular pressure and examine the inner structures of the eye. If you have signs of glaucoma, your eye doctor will recommend follow-up visits and a treatment plan.
Glaucoma can be a complication of other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Making positive lifestyle choices like staying active, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking can reduce the symptoms of those conditions and reduce the risk of complications, including glaucoma.
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
There are a variety of strategies for managing glaucoma. You may need more than one type of treatment.
Eye Drops
Prescription eye drops can slow the progression of glaucoma. Eye drops work by reducing intraocular pressure. Some drops improve the drainage of natural fluid within your eye, while others reduce the amount of fluid your eye produces.
Your eye doctor may prescribe more than one kind of eye drops for you to use.
Oral Medications
Oral medications can also reduce fluid production in your eye. Your eye doctor may prescribe them in addition to eye drops.
Laser Treatments
A laser trabeculoplasty can decrease the pressure in your eyes by improving the drainage at the point where the iris and cornea meet inside the eye.
Traditional Glaucoma Surgery
Your eye doctor may recommend a surgical trabeculoplasty, a procedure that works similarly to a laser trabeculoplasty. They may also offer a different procedure in which your surgeon will place tiny tubes, called shunts, in your eye to improve drainage.
MIGS
Another option you may be a candidate for is minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), which can be tailored to your eye health needs. Patients typically report fewer complications than traditional glaucoma procedures.
Are you due for an eye exam to check for signs of glaucoma? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!
