What is Glaucoma?

What is Glaucoma?

Are you asking the same question that we hear from many patients: what is glaucoma? Whether you have been diagnosed with this disease or you have a high risk of developing glaucoma, it is important that you maintain consistent eye exams with an experienced Chicago optometrist. 

Your eye doctor can help you understand this eye condition so that you can use lifestyle changes and eye care treatments to protect your vision.

What is Glaucoma?

Many people agree that glaucoma is a complicated eye disease. If you have glaucoma, then it means that the optic nerve is progressively being damaged due to pressure in the eye. Eventually, this damage results in vision loss. In fact, glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness.

Reversing the damage to the optic nerve is impossible. So, if you have a high risk of glaucoma, then it is essential that you follow the treatments that are suggested by your optometrist.

Causes of Glaucoma

Researchers are still trying to understand the underlying factors that cause this eye disease. The pressure increases because of fluid that builds up in the eye. Eventually, the pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve that leads to vision loss.

Types of Glaucoma

There are several types of glaucoma, and your eye doctor will identify the type through diagnostic tests. The most common type is called primary open-angle glaucoma, which happens when the fluid doesn’t drain as well as it should.

Angle-closure glaucoma (also known as closed-angle or narrow-angle) happens when the iris is located close to the drainage angle in the eye. As a result, the iris might interfere with the draining.

Watch for These Symptoms

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that they have glaucoma until it is too late. If the optic nerve has been damaged, then there is nothing that you can do to restore your vision. The best thing that you can do is maintain regular eye exams so that an experienced eye care professional can test the pressure in your eye.

People with open-angle glaucoma might start to notice blind spots in the side (peripheral) vision. If left untreated, the eye diseases will continue to reduce your vision. Most people don’t notice a problem until they experience severe vision loss, which is why this disease is known as the “silent thief of sight.”

Angle-closure glaucoma usually doesn’t show many signs until an attack occurs. Early symptoms might include headaches, halos, eye pain, or blurred vision. During an attack, symptoms might include redness in the eye, decreased vision, nausea, severe pain, and more.

Talk to a Chicago Optometrist

Do you have more questions about glaucoma? If you are wondering “What is glaucoma?”, then our team is here to answer your questions. We will gladly take the time that is needed to explain this eye disease, helping you identify the best lifestyle factors and treatment options to protect your vision.

Here at Village Eyecare, we are working hard to provide the best eye care in the Chicago area. Schedule an exam at one of our four convenient locations to see if you are at risk for glaucoma or any type of eye disease.