What You Should Know About Glaucoma and Glaucoma Management
Glaucoma can lead to significant vision loss and even blindness if left unmanaged. Vision Associates of Westland can help patients in Westland, Canton, Plymouth, Lavonia, Garden City, and Wayne, MI, manage their glaucoma and protect their eyesight. Our optometrist is here to tell you about glaucoma, its risk factors, and how we can help manage it.
What Causes Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs due to a disease of the optic nerve that connects the brain to the eye. Damage to your optic nerve can interfere with signals sent to the brain, resulting in vision loss and even blindness. Glaucoma causes optic nerve fibers to break down, resulting in tissue loss known as cupping. Your eye doctor can detect nerve changes through a dilated eye exam.
What Risk Factors Exist for Glaucoma?
The risks of developing glaucoma vary with race and age. People with a family history of this condition and those with high eye pressure have a higher chance of developing glaucoma. Certain groups are at a higher risk, particularly African Americans and Hispanics. People over 60 have an increased risk of glaucoma, making regular screenings from your optometrist highly recommended.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma has little to no symptoms in the early stages. Your eyes can adjust to the incremental changes of glaucoma early on before becoming more pronounced in the later stages. Some of the most frequent symptoms of late-stage glaucoma include blurry vision, seeing rings or halos around light, and red eyes. You may also experience headaches, nausea, and eye pain or pressure in more severe cases of glaucoma.
What You Should Do If You Have Been Diagnosed With Glaucoma
Our eye doctor can make several recommendations if they diagnose you with glaucoma. Prescription eyedrops and routine exams can help slow the progression of your glaucoma and detect changes in eye pressure. Our eye doctor recommends eye exams every 3-6 months to monitor the pressure in your eyes if you have glaucoma. We can also recommend laser eye surgery to reduce your eye pressure and increase fluid drainage.
Specialized Glaucoma Testing and Ongoing Care
Glaucoma requires specialized assessment to detect it early. Since glaucoma shows little to no signs in its earliest stages, these tests are vital for catching and treating it before significant vision loss occurs. Our optometrist provides precise glaucoma testing and ongoing glaucoma management to protect your vision. We can also make a referral for surgery if necessary.
Get High-Quality Glaucoma Management Today at Vision Associates of Westland
Glaucoma can cause severe eye and vision issues and lead to blindness if you do not manage it, so contact Vision Associates of Westland in Westland, MI, to get the glaucoma management necessary to protect your eyesight. If you live near Westland, Canton, Plymouth, Lavonia, Garden City, and Wayne, MI, call us and schedule an eye exam today at (734) 326-2160. We can provide prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, dry eye treatment, and glaucoma management to ensure your eyes and vision remain healthy.
