Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the eye’s optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss and blindness. Often, there are no symptoms of glaucoma until it’s too late. There are many treatments for glaucoma; however, lost vision cannot be restored. The key to controlling glaucoma and protecting your eyes, is early detection and treatment.
At first, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms, causes no pain and vision appears normal. Without treatment, people with glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral (side) vision. If glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss objects appearing to the side and out of the corner of their eye – experiencing a “tunnel vision” effect. Over time, straight-ahead (central) vision may decline until no vision remains.
Narrow angle glaucoma also often presents without symptoms, but if a person experiences an attack, they can rapidly lose their vision permanently. Often there are symptoms of headaches, eye pain, tearing, halos around lights and even nausea or vomiting. It can often be misdiagnosed as migraines.
Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive eye exam. Immediate treatment for glaucoma can delay progression or even the onset of the disease. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment is vital to treating this disease.
Glaucoma can often be genetic or spontaneous. It can also be caused by a medication you are taking.
If you, or someone you know, are possibly suffering from glaucoma or experiencing any symptoms or vision loss, contact Haller Eye Center today.
