At Opti Care, our eye treatment and contact lenses specialists believe that the more people know about glaucoma, the better equipped they will be to find proper treatments. With the following answers to frequently asked questions, you can discover ways to preserve your eyesight.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve by causing high eye pressure. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain and transmits all visual information, including brightness, color perception and contrast. There are two main types of glaucoma: angle-closure glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.
What Are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?
Individuals who are over 40, taking certain medications, have poor vision, a family history of glaucoma or have experienced trauma to the eye may be at risk for glaucoma. According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and over 120,000 Americans are completely blind from it.
Can Glaucoma Be Prevented?
Blindness caused by glaucoma may be prevented by early detection. The USC Roski Eye Institute specialists strongly recommend getting annual eye exams. During an eye exam, the optic nerve and peripheral vision must be directly examined. Glaucoma may remain undiagnosed as it is often asymptomatic in the early stages. However, patients can experience headaches, vision loss, severe eye pain and nausea as the condition progresses. If detected and treated early, your eye doctor can prevent permanent blindness.
Opti Care is a full-service eye care center in Maryland. An optometrist and trained opticians will go to great lengths to provide treatments for common eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts, leading to better health. Call (201) 559-8610 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We proudly serve patients in Marriottsville, Westminster and other nearby areas in MD.