Glaucoma is among the most dreaded conditions that affect eyes. When someone first gets diagnosed with the condition, the world can come crumbling around them. It is a condition that is known to cause loss of vision that is relentless, painless and progressive. It is classified as the second most common cause of preventable blindness in the world. In considering the condition glaucoma San Antonio TX residents should know facts about it.
There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.
There are two causes of glaucoma. The first is whereby the defect is within eyes. This is the commonest cause. The other cause is when such defects lie in the optical disk. It is not as common. If the defect is in eyes, it involves increase in pressure of eyes and optical nerve will be damaged. This results because of increased pressure. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve by reducing blood supply to the optic nerve. Nerve cells also damage nerve cells.
You should know what causes increase in pressure in eyes. Under normal circumstances, there are fluids constantly being formed in eyes and later being drained out. The fluid is called the aqueous humor. It is never the same as tears. Tears are within eyes while the aqueous humor is outside. As it drains, what results is an imbalance in formation of fluids. There will be pressure rise.
There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.
There are three main options of treatment which you can consider. These are surgery, laser treatment and application of eye drops. Medicines are administered as eye drops. In very rare cases, pills may be used but usually as a temporary measure. Medications function by minimizing amount of fluids in eyes. Drainage of fluids in eyes is also improved.
Laser surgery involves use of low-energy beams of light. These are aimed at drainage channels in eyes to enable better outflow and thus lower intraocular pressure. The procedure is performed in the office of the surgeon.
Surgical treatment will be recommended when eye drops and laser procedures do not reduce eye pressure. There are surgical procedures used to improve drainage. These include placement of stents and shunts.
There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.
There are two causes of glaucoma. The first is whereby the defect is within eyes. This is the commonest cause. The other cause is when such defects lie in the optical disk. It is not as common. If the defect is in eyes, it involves increase in pressure of eyes and optical nerve will be damaged. This results because of increased pressure. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve by reducing blood supply to the optic nerve. Nerve cells also damage nerve cells.
You should know what causes increase in pressure in eyes. Under normal circumstances, there are fluids constantly being formed in eyes and later being drained out. The fluid is called the aqueous humor. It is never the same as tears. Tears are within eyes while the aqueous humor is outside. As it drains, what results is an imbalance in formation of fluids. There will be pressure rise.
There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.
There are three main options of treatment which you can consider. These are surgery, laser treatment and application of eye drops. Medicines are administered as eye drops. In very rare cases, pills may be used but usually as a temporary measure. Medications function by minimizing amount of fluids in eyes. Drainage of fluids in eyes is also improved.
Laser surgery involves use of low-energy beams of light. These are aimed at drainage channels in eyes to enable better outflow and thus lower intraocular pressure. The procedure is performed in the office of the surgeon.
Surgical treatment will be recommended when eye drops and laser procedures do not reduce eye pressure. There are surgical procedures used to improve drainage. These include placement of stents and shunts.
About the Author:
If you're suffering from glaucoma San Antonio TX eye clinic invites you to pay a visit to this website. Make an appointment today through http://www.saeye.com/glaucoma.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment