Early Signs of Glaucoma

Just like the word arthritis covers over 100 types of joint disorder, glaucoma is a word describing a number of eye disorders. The disorder can happen at any age, but it usually happens to adults 60 and older. Regular eye exams with your Sandy Springs optometry professional at Eye 1^st Vision Center will pick up on the conditions causing the disease. What is it and what are its early warning signs?

What Is Glaucoma?

This disease is caused by a buildup of pressure in the eye called ocular hypertension. Some pressure is normal, but too much pressure damages the optic nerve. This damage affects the sight and can't be recovered. If your eye doctor catches the condition early enough, your vision could be saved. You'll need treatment for the rest of your life, though.

Early Signs

The disease develops gradually. There are two types of the condition: open-angle and acute angle-closure. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, the symptoms are:

• In open-angle, you'll find blind spots in your peripheral or side vision along with your central vision, usually in both eyes
• In acute angle-closure, you'll see redness in the eyes, blurry vision, eye pain and headache, nausea and vomiting, and halos around lights.

Without treatment, the disease gradually causes blindness. With treatment, you could have at least 20 years before this happens. At any signs of early-onset, get to the ER if you can't see your optometry professional immediately.

It Can Be Prevented

Taking proper care of yourself and your eyes can prevent the disease to some extent:

• Get your eyes dilated during an exam every one or two years to catch early stages of the disease
• If it runs in your family, your eye doctor needs to know
• Wear protective goggles when working or exercising so trauma doesn't make it worse
• Use prescribed eye drops exactly as prescribed regularly

Call Eye 1st Vision Center Today!

If you're nearing the age of 60, you'll need to see your Sandy Springs optometry professional at Eye 1^st Vision Center to monitor the early warning signs. Contact us today to learn more about it.