Don’t let glaucoma steal your sight. Early treatment can make a difference. – Dr. Lauretta Justin, Millennium Eye Center
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the crucial pathway that transmits visual information from your eye to your brain. Often referred to as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can gradually steal your vision without you even noticing.
How Does Glaucoma Happen?
- Increased Eye Pressure: In many cases, glaucoma is linked to elevated pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure).
- Fluid Buildup: The eye constantly produces fluid to nourish its internal structures. This fluid normally drains out through tiny channels.
- Blocked Drainage: In glaucoma, these drainage channels become blocked, causing fluid to build up and increase pressure within the eye.
- Optic Nerve Damage: This increased pressure puts significant stress on the optic nerve, gradually damaging its delicate fibers.
Types of Glaucoma:
- Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, characterized by a gradual and often painless increase in eye pressure.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A less common but more urgent type, where the drainage angle in the eye becomes blocked suddenly, causing a rapid increase in eye pressure.
Risk Factors:
- Age: The risk of glaucoma increases with age.
- Family History: A family history of glaucoma significantly increases your risk.
- Ethnicity: People of African, Hispanic, and Asian descent are at higher risk.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase glaucoma risk.
Symptoms:
- Often Undetected: Early stages of glaucoma often have no noticeable symptoms.
- Gradual Vision Loss: As the disease progresses, you may experience:
- Loss of peripheral vision (side vision)
- Difficulty seeing in dim light
- Halos around lights
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
Prevention and Early Detection:
- Regular Eye Exams: Even if you have no symptoms, regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing underlying health conditions can help reduce your risk.
At Millennium Eye Center, we are committed to providing the highest quality eye care. Our experienced ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and managing glaucoma. If you have any concerns about your eye health, please schedule a consultation with us today.
Millennium Eye Center is a leading provider of comprehensive eye care in the Orlando area. Our experienced team of optometrists can help you manage your astigmatism and achieve optimal eye health.
Whether the best choice is glasses, contacts, or other treatment, we understand that the optimal vision correction solution is one that’s tailored to each individual patient. To schedule an appointment with our Eye Expert, Dr. Lauretta Justin, click HERE or text us at 407-292-9812.
Thank you for choosing us as your family’s partners in lifelong vision health. We treasure the trust you place in our practice!
Disclaimer: The content on this blog is for educational purposes only. It’s not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. Top image is used under a License-free image from Pixabay.