Eyesight is precious for every person as it helps us do our tasks, move our bodies, and live normally. Is it risky to get vision problems? Vision loss has many side effects that can disrupt a person’s healthy lifestyle. According to eye doctors, glaucoma is the main cause of blindness coming from different factors. Some ophthalmologists connect glaucoma with diabetes, while other eye specialists and researchers say that its leading cause is still unknown. Nevertheless, every patient with glaucoma needs to get treatment from a surgeon as soon as possible. Find out more information for your eye’s health with our tips for prevention and treatment. If you need professional help, Dr. Anton Van Heerden’s eye clinic in Melbourne can help diagnose and help improve your condition if you’re experiencing this disease.

How Does Glaucoma Occur?

There are three categories for glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma. For an open angle, the eye’s drainage canals can become clogged over time. A wide gap of the angle that meets the iris and the cornea may experience high eye pressure from the buildup of liquids that result in vision loss. Most open-angle glaucoma issues are slow but common for every person. For angle-closure glaucoma, or often called closed glaucoma, the iris bulges and blocks the canals. Its symptoms are very noticeable and may need emergency medical attention. For normal tension (NTG), eye pressure can happen with normal ranges, but it may still show symptoms of glaucoma. 

Detecting The Signs Of Glaucoma

Do you know how to check your eyes for any signs of glaucoma, cataracts, or any vision problems? Some eye diseases have no symptoms (asymptomatic), and several signs happen slowly, making susceptible patients not aware of glaucoma. Glaucoma can also become acute or chronic if the patient wasn’t able to discuss the early signs with an eye doctor. If you want to have accurate answers for some of your questions, you may want to visit an ophthalmologist soon. Moreover, you can also detect the symptoms at home with these signs:

• Severe eye pain
• Red or inflamed eyes
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• Seeing floating halos or rainbows 
• Blurred vision
• Blind spots
• A gradual loss of sight or blindness
• Front headaches

What Are The Treatments For Glaucoma?

Can glaucoma be treated? Although there are many perspectives about the cure, it is wiser to treat your glaucoma as early as possible. Eventually, the warning signs of glaucoma may become a high risk for your overall health condition. You can manage the different types of glaucoma according to its symptoms and diagnosis. Don’t let your eyes suffer that can have progressive damage for years. Neglected optic nerve damage can lead to acute or total blindness. So, the early warning sign should help you to know the types of glaucoma for prevention. 

Laser Surgery

Nowadays, doctors suggest their patients take laser surgery for most diseases. Eyes have a hazardous and challenging practice for surgeons to finish successfully. Laser surgery (laser trabeculoplasty) for open-angle glaucoma is recommended. Laser trabeculoplasty can open the clogged channels that are dangerous for intraocular pressure glaucoma. Other stages that occur as a visual impairment through glaucoma may also rely on lasers for reducing the side effects. 

Prescription Medication

Initially, prescription medication is recommended for the early signs of glaucoma. Eyedrops with drugs improve fluid and the flow of liquid in the eyes to decrease the pressure on the eyes. Depending on your doctor’s diagnosis, you may take one or more drops and lower or higher doses. It is not enough to buy over-the-counter drugs without consulting a professional first. 

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

What is Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)? This type of surgery focuses on the pressure on the lower eye to treat the optic nerve. Commonly, MIGS is combined with cataract surgery or other noninvasive procedures that don’t involve trabeculectomy or too many incisions. However, the standard operations of MIGS aren’t free from risks or complications. So, it may be best to get this operation only from hospitals with successful rates of treated patients.  

Trabeculectomy

Your doctor may recommend trabeculectomy if no response is seen from previous medication. Traditionally, trabeculectomy wasn’t done with lasers and needed a group of highly trained ophthalmologists to remove the excess liquid in the eyes. Once the disease in the optic nerve starts to show symptoms like blindness, people need to monitor other optic nerve problems. Then again, the signs can be subtle, so visiting an eye specialist is the best way to learn these symptoms. 

Can You Prevent Glaucoma?

Is glaucoma preventable? Your general physician can give some tips on how to take care of your eyes. The first step is to detect the symptoms as early as possible. A regular vision exam can detect if your peripheral view is diminishing. An early diagnosed vision loss can decrease the symptoms of glaucoma. Especially, those who have signs of glaucoma can already get treatments with prescription medication. Don’t skip going to an eye clinic or hospital for the right lifestyle habits to prevent glaucoma.

What To Expect From Your Eye Health Care Providers:

Before going for an appointment, it may be best to know what to expect from the healthcare providers that will ask for your glaucoma. It is possible to also save on the cost and fees to pay. Patients can also ask their family members, relatives, or coworkers and friends about referrals for glaucoma treatment. 

• Will ask about the early symptoms of your disease
• Analyze medical history
• Check if you are pregnant (for women)
• Bringing health care insurance cards is a must 
• Ask questions like complications, risks, side effects of your diagnosis and treatment