Glaucoma is an eye disease that attacks and damages your optic nerve. It is also a major cause of blindness in people over the age of 60. However, there are risk factors that make younger people susceptible to this disease as well. Everyone should be aware of the symptoms of glaucoma and get regular eye exams so glaucoma can be diagnosed and managed. Vision loss due to glaucoma cannot be repaired, but if you are diagnosed with glaucoma, an optometrist can start you on a medical regimen to prevent further vision loss. If you are looking for a great optometrist and live near the city of Simsbury, Wethersfield or West Hartford, CT, look no further than Optometric Specialty Group.
What Causes Glaucoma?
High ocular pressure is usually the cause of glaucoma. The pressure in your eye is regulated by fluid, and when that fluid builds up, the pressure increases and causes glaucoma. High ocular pressure can be genetic, so you must get regular eye exams if you have a family member with high ocular pressure or glaucoma.
What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
The two most prominent types of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma symptoms include blind spots in your peripheral vision that can happen in both eyes. Another symptom is tunnel vision, but this generally occurs in more advanced stages. Angle-closure glaucoma symptoms include blurred vision, eye redness, seeing halos around lights, nausea and vomiting, severe headaches, and eye pain. Some of these signs of glaucoma don't appear until the disease has progressed and vision loss has already occurred. Regular eye exams will alert our optometrist of any concerns and allow you to start treating glaucoma as soon as possible.
Glaucoma Risk Factors
Age, high intraocular pressure, and having a family history of glaucoma are some of the most significant risk factors, but there are others, including:
- Thin cornea centers
- Medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and sickle cell anemia
- Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
- Eye injury
- Long term use of corticosteroid medications
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist for Glaucoma Treatment in Simsbury, Wethersfield and West Hartford, CT
At Optometric Specialty Group, we have provided residents of Simsbury, Wethersfield and West Hartford, CT with reliable eye care services for many years. Many of our patients visit us for the first time looking to have glaucoma diagnosed and treated. Call us today at 860-658-1620 (Simsbury), (860) 296-1700 (Wethersfield) or (860) 236-1218 (West Hartford) for more information or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.
