How Is Early Stage Glaucoma Treated?

Recent studies have shown that glaucoma is a leading reason for visual issues and blindness. It is a cluster of ailments that attack the optical nerve of your eye, causing a pressure buildup in the eye. This can lead to visual impairment or permanent blindness. This disease is serious and affects many people, but there are treatments if the diagnosis happens early.

 

The disease has no current cure. However, early detection of the disease can help you avoid its permanent afflictions. Glaucoma presents itself in different ways during its early stages. This may not always be the case since the disease comes in different types. The first steps involve you watching for the signs and symptoms.

 

Early Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

There are many types of glaucoma though the most common is open-angle glaucoma (the sneak thief). Its symptoms are difficult to spot as it does not present any of the common eye issues. It usually occurs when your eyes are unable to drain the fluids suitably. Open-angle glaucoma happens gradually over time. In the beginning, the disease does not cause you any pain or visual inconsistencies. Visual complications usually begin with loss of sight from your periphery.

 

Acute angle-closure glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma happens when there is blockage of your eye’s drainage angle from the iris. This causes the pressure in your eyes to rise rapidly. This is a serious medical issue that can cause permanent blindness if you do not seek immediate medical assistance. Some of its symptoms include headaches, sudden blurry vision, nausea and vomiting, chronic eye pain, and strange sensitivity to lights.

 

Causes of Glaucoma

Researchers are still trying to find the absolute root causes of glaucoma. Despite this, some factors may increase the odds of you developing glaucoma. Some of these factors include eye trauma, age, use of corticosteroids, genetics, and several other medical conditions.

 

The reason for the inclusion of genetics in this list is that scientists consider glaucoma to be hereditary. You are up to nine times more likely to develop glaucoma if you have a blood relative who is suffering from it. Medical and biological conditions that can develop into glaucoma include severe eye irritation and corneal thickness.

 

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of glaucoma includes a lot of self-care steps that can help you prevent or detect the disease from its early stages. One of the best self-help steps to take is going for regular eye examinations. These comprehensive exams help your ophthalmologist to detect the early stages of glaucoma. It is advisable to go for these eye examinations every two to four years, especially if you are above forty years of age.

 

Other ways of preventing glaucoma include:

 

• Exercising regularly to increase the flow of blood.
   

• Constant hydration.
   

• Wearing protective eyewear whenever possible.
   

• Avoiding cigarettes and drinks with caffeine.
  
   

Treatment

Apart from medication, other first lines of defense for early-onset glaucoma include incisional and laser surgery. Each of the early treatments has its pros and cons. It is best to know them clearly before opting for either form of treatment. Medications in the form of eye drops help reduce up to 35 percent of pressure in your eyes. To benefit from this medication, you must use eye drops often during the day.

 

Laser treatment eliminates the use of eye drops. It is a low-risk procedure that most medical insurance policies cover.

 

Learn more about treating early stage glaucoma, contact Advanced Vision Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada at (702) 819-9800 to book an appointment today.