Various Facts About Glaucoma San Antonio

By Eloise Hewitt


Glaucoma is used in reference to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage of the nerve that transmits signals to the brain- the optic nerve. It is the damage to this nerve that leads to vision loss. When the pressure inside the eyes, called intraocular pressure, is increased too much, the eyes will likely get damaged. This is among the leading causes of blindness. The damage to vision occurs so gradually that one may fail to realize until the condition is advanced. For those suffering from glaucoma San Antonio offers various options of treatment.

Of the various types of this condition, the most common is primary-angle glaucoma. This has no noticeable symptoms other than the fact that it becomes more defined during the advanced stages. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, any damage to the optic nerve may be prevented. During the periodic examination of the eyes, there should be measurement of intraocular pressure.

The two most common forms of this infection, that is angle closure and open-angle, have symptoms that are very varied. The two main symptoms of the latter type are gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes and tunnel vision when it is in the advanced stages. The former has such symptoms as blurred vision, eye pain, nausea, vomiting and sudden onset of disturbance of vision. When the cause is unknown, the condition is referred to as primary. When the causes can be traced, it is referred to as secondary.

Patients should not wait for symptoms to be noticeable. The key to early detection is to go for regular eye check-ups. In case one realizes severe pain in the eyes, strong headaches, blurred vision, nausea or halos around the eye, immediate care should be sought. Otherwise, one may risk seeking medical attention when it is too late.

There is the fluid known as aqueous humor that flows in and out of eyes. When the fluid builds up inside the eye, there is increased pressure. This fluid gets out of the eye via a drainage system that is at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. If in any case the drainage system does not work well, then the fluid does not filter normally from the eyes. There is thus pressure build-up in the eyes.

Some risk factors will make an individual more susceptible to the condition. Age is one of the crucial factors that determine how easily one may contract it. Persons that are 40 years and above are at more risk of contracting angle-closure glaucoma. African-Americans are more at risk of developing the condition, plus it affects much younger people. Mexican-Americans over 60 years are at higher risk.

People with a family history of the condition are more prone to suffer from it. There also is a defect on one or more genes and this makes some people more at risk than others. Further, heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure are some of the medical conditions that increase risk of glaucoma.

The treatment is mainly used to reduce pressure of the eyes. The pressure of the eyes is lowered, the drainage system improved or the quantity of fluid reduced. The condition itself cannot be cured. It is the damages that are minimized and vision loss prevented.




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