Glaucoma is a common disease that affects approximately three million people in the United States. Not only that, but it is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. At Lone Start Vision in Beaumont, TX, our optometrist, Dr. Mark Johnson, provides eye exams to detect glaucoma early and offers treatment to slow the progression of the disease. Before you schedule your appointment, learn more about glaucoma below:
Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, which is the portion of your eye that communicates with your brain. In most cases, the disease occurs when the pressure in your eye is too high. The high pressure is often caused by buildup of fluid in your eye. Glaucoma can be hereditary, however, it can also develop from certain lifestyle habits or health conditions. For example, smoking and diabetes can increase your chances of glaucoma.
Symptoms
The symptoms you experience will depend on the type of glaucoma that you have. The two main types of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure. When you have open-angle glaucoma, you will experience tunnel vision as it advances. In the earlier stages, you might notice patchy blind spots in both your central peripheral vision and central vision.
You can also have angle-closure glaucoma, which is the most serious form of this disease. This type is also considered to be a medical emergency and requires immediate care. You may also experience blurry vision, severe headaches, eye pain, red eyes, and nausea from this type of glaucoma.
Treatment
No matter which type of glaucoma you have, you will need eye care to preserve your vision. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible since glaucoma can progress. Along with that, in the early stages, it is more treatable and our eye doctor can slow down the progression. We will perform an eye exam and determine the necessary treatment for your condition. It's vital to visit our eye doctor as soon as you start noticing symptoms since the disease can lead to blindness.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
At Lone Star Vision in Beaumont, TX, we offer a variety of treatments and eye care services for glaucoma to help preserve your vision. To learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment, call us at (409) 896-5700 today. We look forward to improving your eye health!