How Can I Reduce the Risk of Glaucoma

Article Written By: paulafkuho

Glaucoma is a problem that could be the cause of decreased vision, optic disc damage and in serious cases, blindness. It involves high pressure in the eye that leads to headaches, severe pain, and other symptoms. The risk of developing this condition is dependent on corneal thickness, ethnicity and age. Diabetes, injury to the eye and low blood pressure can be taken into consideration during the pre diagnosis stage. The condition can affect one eye or both of them. Left untreated, it can worsen, eventually resulting in a lack of peripheral vision and eventually, a complete loss of vision.

How The Glaucoma Disease Can Be Treated

Early intervention is the most successful way to slow down or even stop its effects, and committing yourself to take care of your eyes is also helpful. Regular exams can make it easier for your doctor to detect signs of the disease and give you the best chance of recovery. Various treatments are available to reduce the severity of symptoms and pain,as well as prevent it from becoming progressively worse.

Screening and Exams for Glaucoma

Examinations are the the best way to detect glaucoma. The doctors are able to measure peripheral vision using the visual field test. They are able to examine a patient s retina and optic nerve using the dilated eye exam which uses drops to widen the pupils. To test a patient s ability to see objects at different distances, doctors employ the visual acuity test. The cornea can be measured using an ultrasonic wave after numbing eye drops are administered. Doctors can also measure pressure, which is built up using tonometry.

Medicine Can Help the Glaucoma Disease

Your doctor may help you to decrease excess pressure in the eye and can also reduce fluid. Medication is normally taken several times a day and could cause certain side effects. In most cases, medications must be used for the patient's lifetime to stop the disease from progressing.

Conventional Surgery to Treat the Glaucoma Condition

Conventional surgery is often thought of as a last resort option. It is used to remove a small piece of tissue that will make a channel that helps with fluid drainage. Unfortunately, the channel may later start to narrow, which requires an additional operation. This treatment can possibly result in problems with the cornea, inflammation and an increased risk of infection.

Laser trabeculoplasty assists draining in the eye through a high-intensity laser beam. This stretches the drainage holes to enable better drainage function and to relieve overall pressure in the eye.

To lower the chance of getting this disease, patients are recommended to be careful of gaining too much weight as this will help to ensure that they are less likely to get diabetes, as diabetics are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma. Patients should also wear protection to prevent injuries.

Even though LASIK surgery is not always appropriate for most patients with glaucoma, those with a stable condition may be helped by the procedure. In addition, there is help available, in the form of custom laser surgery for patients with this complaint. To determine whether this procedure is suitable for you, make an appointment with an eye care professional.

About the Author

With help from Dr Harvey Carter complaints pertaining to Glaucoma can be eliminated. Call Doctor Harvey Carter to talk about your Dallas glaucoma options.

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