Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve, which is responsible for linking the eye to the brain. It is one of the leading causes of visual disability. But with early diagnosis and proper treatment, experts say that glaucoma can be avoided.
Nova Vision Center, your trusted local optometrist, shares more information about glaucoma — its symptoms and treatments as well as the conditions that can make you more at risk of this eye disease.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma can develop into different forms of eye disease, so the symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. For example, angle-closure glaucoma typically comes with symptoms including severe pain in the eye, blurred vision with a rainbow halo around lights, nausea, and vomiting. It occurs when the iris blocks the flow of fluid to the brain. This leads to heightened eye pressures that could damage the optic nerve.
Another example of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma has no perceivable symptoms, so it is also called the “Sneak Thief of Sight.” In this condition, damage to the optic nerve occurs with normal eye pressures. This makes it especially crucial to visit your eye doctor regularly. With regular checkups, your doctor can detect glaucoma by checking for eye pressure using a tonometer. They can also inspect the optic nerve using an ophthalmoscope.
Are You at Risk of Glaucoma?
Some of the factors that can increase your risk of glaucoma are high or low blood pressure, diabetes, migraines during the winter, and prolonged use of steroids.
If you experienced an eye injury or have short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or high eye pressure, you could also be at risk of secondary glaucomas. These glaucomas are typically the result of underlying eye conditions or the side effects of treatments of such conditions.
Nova Vision Center has been serving the local community for more than 60 years. We provide excellent eye care services and products including contact lenses and eyeglasses. Call us at (703) 578-3600 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve customers in Alexandria and Arlington, VA.
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