Despite glaucoma being the world’s second leading cause of blindness, nearly half of Americans who have glaucoma do not realize they have the condition. Scheduling regular exams helps your optometrist identify eye conditions, allowing the necessary treatments to begin. If you live in the Tehachapi or Ridgecrest, CA, areas and want an optometrist near you, consider contacting Caroline Robison Optometry.
Why are people unaware they have glaucoma?
Glaucoma has few early symptoms, so people often do not notice changes in their eyes. However, screening for glaucoma is a regular part of an optometrist’s eye exam. Regular vision screenings help ensure that glaucoma or other conditions are identified and treated. If your initial screening indicates the need for advanced glaucoma testing, those tests can confirm or rule out the disease or determine the extent of any damage to date.
Why is it important to identify glaucoma early in its development?
Medical science has not identified a cure for glaucoma, but there are treatments available that can stop or slow its progress. Early treatment provides the best opportunity to limit the impact of glaucoma on your vision.
How does glaucoma lead to poor vision and blindness?
Our eyes absorb light and transmit signals to the brain via the optic nerves. Glaucoma results from long-term excessive pressure inside the eyes, which damages the optic nerve. As a result, glaucoma treatment often focuses on reducing this pressure.
What are glaucoma’s signs and symptoms?
Glaucoma comes in two forms: primary open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle glaucoma is more common and presents early symptoms such as cloudy vision and challenges seeing in dim light. As the disease progresses, peripheral vision loss occurs, along with the potential loss of straight-ahead or central vision. Angle-closure glaucoma is less common. Symptoms include dilated pupils, eye pain, and seeing halos around lights. This type displays rapid onset and requires emergency treatment.
What are common treatments for glaucoma?
Glaucoma treatment depends on the disease’s form and severity. Open-angle glaucoma is often treated with laser surgery and ongoing prescription eye drops. Angle-closure glaucoma is treated with surgery that creates openings in the eye to reduce excess internal pressure.
Glaucoma Treatment At Caroline Robison Optometry
If you are looking for an optometrist in the Tehachapi or Ridgecrest, CA, area, consider Caroline Robison Optometry for all your eye care needs. Call the Tehachapi office at (661) 972-6890, the Ridgecrest office at (760) 375-4496, or book an appointment online today.