Have you heard of “glaucoma” before? Maybe you’ve heard someone in your family, friends, or peers discuss it? In any case, almost 250,000 Canadians suffer from this common health issue. In short, Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerves of the eyes. A buildup of pressure inside the eye causes glaucoma to worsen over time. Being properly educated about glaucoma is crucial to maintaining long-term eye health.
Causes and Symptoms
Damage to the optic nerve results in the development of glaucoma as blind patches may appear in your eyesight when this nerve slowly weakens. This nerve injury is typically associated with high pressure in the eyes called “intraocular pressure” (IOP).
Many people are curious about the early warning signs of glaucoma but the issue is that some forms of glaucoma have no early warning signs and visual abnormalities might occur gradually, making it simple to overlook the symptoms. Glaucoma damage cannot be reversed, blindness prevention requires early identification and treatment.
You may experience:
- Eye pain or pressure,
- Headaches,
- Rainbow-colored halos around lights,
- Low vision, blurred vision, narrowed vision (tunnel vision), blind spots,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Red eyes.
- A family history of glaucoma,
- Extreme refractive errors,
- Past eye injury or trauma,
- Use of certain medications,
- Heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
These are some common symptoms. Any changes in your normal day-to-day routine should be discussed with your local optometrist. A thorough eye exam will reveal the cause and how it can be treated.
Can glaucoma be detected early?
Yes! A comprehensive eye exam can identify glaucoma in its early stages, which is excellent news. Glaucoma may be managed with medication or surgery if it is discovered early and severe eyesight loss can be prevented with early treatment as well. If left untreated, glaucoma can speed up the development of blindness or severe loss of vision. Although they cannot reverse lost vision, treatments can slow down further loss of sight. If you experience significant headaches, vision issues, or eye pain, you should contact an eye doctor immediately.
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Next Steps/Management
Now that we have an idea, it’s critical to keep in mind that, if the condition is detected early, medication and routine examinations can help reduce or prevent vision loss. Reducing your eye pressure (intraocular pressure) is the treatment for glaucoma. Prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, surgery, or a mix of these are available as forms of treatment. Here are some suggestions:
Tip #1: Understand Your Condition
Understanding your particular glaucoma situation is the first step in managing it. Open-angle, angle-closure, normal-tension, and secondary glaucomas are among the several forms of glaucoma. Since the causes of each variety vary, so do the methods of therapy.
Tip #2: Follow Your Treatment Plan
It’s critical to stick to your doctor’s treatment plan after receiving a glaucoma diagnosis. Although treatment can help control the condition and stop more vision loss, it cannot undo any damage that has already been done. Prescription eye drops, tablets, laser treatments, and/or surgery are common forms of therapy. Make sure you take your prescription drugs as directed. Set reminders, an alert on your phone, or any other technique that helps you remember things if you struggle with them.
Tip #3: Monitor Your Eye Pressure
To make sure your glaucoma is under control, you must get regular eye exams that involve vision tests, dilation, pressure checks, and other diagnostic procedures. In addition to offering advice on how to preserve your eyesight and eye health, your doctor can track the development of your problem. The stability and/or severity of your disease, as well as your eye doctor’s assessment, will determine how frequently you need these examinations.
Tip #4: Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle & Protect your eyes
Certain lifestyle decisions may help control glaucoma and safeguard your eyes, according to research. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and a healthy weight may all be helpful. Caffeinated beverages should only be consumed in moderation since high caffeine intake may raise ocular pressure. Also, you should always take additional care to protect your eyes; wearing protective eyewear is always advised if you engage in sports or other activities that could potentially harm your eyes. To shield your eyes from damaging UV rays, it is advised that you wear sunglasses with UV protection.
Tip #5: Communicate & Reach Out for Support
A new glaucoma diagnosis may be stressful. However, a fulfilling life may be ensured by comprehending the illness, properly treating it, and learning how to adjust.
For more information, concerns or inquiries or to book your next eye exam, get in touch with inFocus Vision Care. It all begins with you taking care of your eyes!
