Glaucoma is the Primary Cause of Preventable Blindness

Glaucoma, the primary cause of preventable blindness, affects many people ranging from recently born infants to aging seniors. Although it's not technically an eye disease, it's actually a degenerative condition which can be detected, treated and impeded by regular simple and painless eye examinations and follow-up treatments. If caught in the early stages, an optometrist can detect, treat and impede the ravishing effects of glaucoma.

So, what exactly is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a Term used to describe a degenerative eye disease) by increased intraocular pressure (or high pressure in the eye, which is characterized in a deterioration of the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells, too. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead eventually to a partial or complete loss of vision. This irreversible eye disease is the leading cause of preventable blindness, that the vision of many people each year steals.

What are the causes of degenerative eye disease?Alarmingly, the exact cause of glaucoma is unknown. For unknown reasons, blocking the aisles (eye, through the liquid) flows within the eye leads to increased pressure on the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells. During that time, untreated, can cause serious damage to the fragile nerve fibers and glaucoma vulnerable blood vessels in the optic nerve region, the loss of vision.

In whom glaucoma is most common?


Peoplediabetes.
Individuals over the age of 40.
People susceptible to developing glaucoma.
Individuals who are nearsighted.
Children susceptible to developing childhood glaucoma.

What are other risk factors for glaucoma?

Glaucoma may occur as a complication of other medical problems such as:


Advanced cataracts
Eye injuries
Eye surgery
Inflammation of the middle membrane, or uvea, within the eye (uveitis)
Certain eye tumors

How detrimental is Glaucoma?

The nerve center transmits all signals from the retina to the brain. The deterioration of the bundles of nerve fibers limits the current and the quality of the signals sent to the brain, leading to a loss of vision.

What are the warning signs of glaucoma?

For many people, is different, the symptoms or signs of glaucoma, according to the nature of the degenerative eye disease. The first of the two major classes of glaucoma is primary open-angleGlaucoma (POAG), the most common subtype of glaucoma. This type of degenerative eye disease develops slowly, with no initial pain. In fact, primary open-angle glaucoma is difficult to detect without a special eye examination, because there are no warning signs. POAG can gradually destroy your vision without warning. The first character may occur after the person concerned is experiencing a degree of vision has been lost.

The second most common subtype of glaucoma isAcute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG), is assumed known as a medical emergency, because rapid or sudden increase in pressure in the eye --- intraocular pressure (IOP) --- could cause a partial or complete blindness. The sudden blockage of drainage channels in your eye is the culprit. Warning signs are: the rapid development of the pressure inside the eye, pain, blurred vision, the appearance of colored rings around lights, and redness in the eyes.

How can glaucomabe prevented?

As mentioned above, early detection and treatment of glaucoma significantly reduces the risk of vision loss. Has, contrary to popular belief, glaucoma is an irreversible eye disease that can be prevented. It is imperative that you should seek the attention of an optician to reduce the risk of severe glaucoma-related visual morbidity and blindness if caught in the early stages. A well-trained eye doctor may prescribe a comprehensive optometric examination, during which timehe or she tests your eyes for glaucoma.

See an eye doctor regularly, as every loss of vision caused by glaucoma is often permanent and can not be restored. A simple painless eye exam is the key to your vision. Remember, untreated glaucoma, a silent thief of sight, which robs people of their vision every day. Treat yourself to an ophthalmologist should carefully check your eyes regularly to ensure your vision. They are very happy that you did not.