Glaucoma Facts and Information – Symptoms and Treatment
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent blindness, affecting more than twelve million people worldwide. As the nerves behind the eye are ravaged by this disease, peripheral vision diminishes and, if glaucoma spreads untreated, vision is lost entirely. Glaucoma has few symptoms and takes over the eye very slowly. For these reasons, many people do not recognize that their vision is deteriorating until it is too late. It is important to learn glaucoma facts before the condition affects your vision.
The eyes of a person with glaucoma are damaged when fluid builds up and increases pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma symptoms vary, but can include peripheral vision loss, sudden blurring of vision, and eye pain. In most cases, however, glaucoma displays no noticeable symptoms before it takes away the vision of its victim. Thankfully, with proper preventative eye care, it is possible to keep glaucoma from affecting your life.
- Who Is at Risk?
- What Is Glaucoma?
- How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
- How Is Glaucoma Treated?
- Is Additional AquaFlow Information Available?
Who is at Risk?
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but some groups are at increased risk for contracting the disease. Those with high pressure in the eyes are more likely to suffer from glaucoma. Individuals over age 40, persons with diabetes, women, those with nearsightedness or high blood pressure, and those of African descent may be at increased risk. A family history of glaucoma also indicates increased likelihood of contracting it. Those at risk for glaucoma should seek more facts and information about the disease by contacting a doctor.
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What is Glaucoma?
It is important to understand glaucoma facts and symptoms. Glaucoma is a disease that puts increased pressure on the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to your brain for interpretation. As the optic nerve becomes damaged, peripheral vision deteriorates. While you may not notice the loss of peripheral vision at first, it plays a very important role in ensuring your safety and ability to drive, walk, and do many other everyday activities. Over many years, glaucoma reduces your central vision as well, finally resulting in permanent blindness. It is often a process which occurs so gradually that most do not notice glaucoma symptoms until their vision has been severely limited. Less common types of glaucoma affect the eye rapidly and one eye at a time.
Vision lost due to glaucoma is irreversible, so treatment should be administered as early as possible. Even if some vision has been lost, it is better to prevent total blindness with treatment rather than do nothing at all.
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How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Glaucoma usually has no noticeable symptoms. Since peripheral vision is lost gradually, most do not notice any changes in their vision. For this reason, it is very important to have your eyes regularly examined by a doctor. An ophthalmologist can examine your eye for signs of glaucoma with simple tests. Treatment can begin and vision loss may be prevented if glaucoma is caught early through eye examinations. If you believe you may have glaucoma, get more facts and information about your likelihood for contracting the disease by contacting your doctor for a diagnosis.
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How is Glaucoma Treated?
General Treatment Options
Many patients halt the progression of glaucoma and alleviate symptoms by applying daily eye drops. There is no cure for glaucoma, but dropping medication into the eyes once or twice a day can decrease eye pressure by slowing the eye’s fluid production or increasing eye outflow. This can prevent further vision loss.
Sometimes, medication is not enough to decrease pressure in the eye. In these situations, laser or surgical treatments may be able to stop the progression of glaucoma. Get the facts from your doctor about which treatment options are appropriate for you.
The AquaFlow Collagen Drainage Device
The latest preferred surgical procedure for treating glaucoma is a non-penetrating deep sclerectomy with the AquaFlow Collagen Glaucoma Drainage Device. AquaFlow is a collagen implant that is inserted into the eye to create and maintain a channel for excess intraocular fluid. By allowing the excess fluid through this channel, the AquaFlow Collagen Glaucoma Drainage Device helps reduce the overall intraocular pressure in the eye. Manufactured and distributed by STAAR® Surgical Company, this device may reduce the need for glaucoma medication.
Is Additional AquaFlow Information Available?
If you are not currently seeing an ophthalmologist, it is important to find a qualified eye surgeon who can review your glaucoma symptoms and give you the facts about your options. For additional information on the AquaFlow Collagen Glaucoma Devices, review the answers to frequently asked glaucoma implant questions. You can also request additional AquaFlow information by contacting STAAR Surgical Company today.
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