Glaucoma occurs when an abnormal amount of pressure builds up in your eye. That pressure can put undo stress on your optic nerve, which in the long term can lead to serious vision loss. Laser Eye Center of Miami offers multiple treatments to preserve the vision of glaucoma patients. Our doctors encourage you to learn more about glaucoma to better protect the longevity of your sight.
There Are Many Types of Glaucoma
Most people assume that glaucoma is just one condition. But glaucoma has two categories: angle-closure glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma. Under the umbrella of angle-closure glaucoma are acute angle-closure glaucoma, chronic angle-closure glaucoma, secondary angle-closure glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma. Types of open-angle glaucoma include primary open-angle glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, low-pressure glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, angle-recession glaucoma and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.
The risks associated with glaucoma depend on the type of glaucoma you have. Receiving a proper diagnosis is essential for determining the optimal treatment plan.
Half of the Population with Glaucoma Don’t Realize They Have It
Most people with glaucoma do not experience significant symptoms, which is why it is so easy for it to fly under the radar. When the quality of your vision does start to decline, you may be tempted to attribute it to factors other than glaucoma due to the absence of other signs.
During a comprehensive eye examination, your eye doctor can test to determine if you have glaucoma, even if the symptoms are not obvious to you. Having that knowledge is important, since being diagnosed means you can begin treatments to preserve your sight.
Glaucoma Is One of the Leading Causes of Blindness
In the United States, as well as worldwide, glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of blindness. A total of 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and they are at risk for losing their sight entirely without taking treatments.
Keep in mind that the sight you lose to glaucoma is irreversible. Thankfully, treatments can protect you from losing more of your sight, which makes early treatment the most effective.
There Is No Cure for Glaucoma
As it stands, doctors and researchers have yet to uncover a cure for glaucoma. It would be easy not realize that that is the case, however, because of the variety of glaucoma treatments available. Most people who seek treatment can retain much of their sight. The earlier you seek glaucoma intervention, the better off your vision is likely to be.
Risk Factors May Make You More Susceptible to Glaucoma
While everyone should get checked for glaucoma and other debilitating eye conditions on a regular basis, certain types of people are more at risk for developing glaucoma and therefore have added motivation to get screened. This applies to you if you:
- Are over the age of 60
- Are of non-European descent (Black, Asian or Hispanic)
- Have diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure
- Have nearsightedness or thin corneas
- Are reliant on eyedrops or corticosteroid medication
Make an Appointment
The excellent doctors at Laser Eye Center of Miami are experts are treating patients with glaucoma. If you have been diagnosed with open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma, please set up an appointment as soon as possible to preserve your sight. Reach us at (305) 443-4733.