What is glaucoma?
There are a number of different problems that could be associated with sight. Glaucoma is one of them, which can be quite fatal if left untreated. In simple words, glaucoma refers to the problem of the optic nerve and its inability to transmit light and images that are generated from the retina. Our eyes are useful only if these images are transmitted to the brain, which can effectively help us in seeing clearly. Therefore, if care is not taken to ensure that these things are kept in check, things can get really complicated. Not only will you end up with impaired sight, you might even gradually lose your sight altogether.
Glaucoma is usually the result of damage to the optic nerve. This damage could be due to a sleuth of reasons. One of the most common reasons for the optic nerve getting damaged would be due to the intraocular pressure, which can be high in such cases. People that have damage optic nerve typically tend to high have pressure in their eyes, which in other words is also known as intraocular pressure. This could again be due to a number of reasons, even including hereditary reasons. However, regular pressure can also lead to glaucoma if there isn’t sufficient blood being supplied to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is more common than you might think. In fact, as many as 6 million individuals supposedly have lost sight due to this condition today. This is a worldwide estimate, with nearly 3 million cases originating from the United States alone. Shockingly, it is also estimated that nearly half of all the people with glaucoma don’t yet know that they have the condition. Since glaucoma usually begins with a loss of side vision, many people tend to remain unaware of the condition until it has progressed to an advanced stage.
Many different reasons are justified as to being attributed to causing glaucoma. Some of these factors include age (above 45 years), hereditary, diabetes, black racial genes, advanced myopia, eye injuries, repeated use of cortisones or even hyperopia, amongst others. It is strongly recommended that you check your eyes for any problems as often as required. People that are above 45 years of age should have an annual checkup whereas others can have a checkup once every two to four years. In this manner, glaucoma won’t ‘creep’ up on you.
This condition can be treated and the results are better if treatment is administered at an earlier stage. In fact, just regulating the pressure of your eye can help in ensuring that your sight is regained and that you don’t end up losing complete vision due to this condition. Most common forms of treatment include the use of eye drops, pills and laser or eye surgery. Depending purely on what condition works best for you, it is possible to go in for that particular option. Therefore, be sure to check out the different conditions and verify that one or more of these are in fact applicable in order to ensure that your sight is back without complications.
Optometrist in El Sobrante CA . and Optometrist in Pinole CA. please don’t hesitate to call Optometry By The Bay!
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