Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It’s National Glaucoma Awareness Month, and here at Dr. Thomas Croley’s office, we want to ensure our patients are as informed as possible about this serious eye condition.
There are several risk factors for glaucoma, including age, family history, race, and previous eye injuries. Make an appointment if you are concerned about glaucoma. We can answer all your questions and perform a comprehensive eye exam.
How Can You Prevent Glaucoma?
There is no sure way to prevent glaucoma, but you can lower your risk by having regular comprehensive eye exams. These exams can detect glaucoma early before it causes vision loss. If you are at high risk for glaucoma, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent exams.
You can also lower your risk by controlling other conditions that can damage the optic nerve, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
How Can You Treat Glaucoma?
Medications, surgery, or a combination can treat glaucoma. Your glaucoma, severity, and other health issues will determine your treatment type.
If you have open-angle glaucoma, you will probably need treatment with medicines first. These medicines can help lower the pressure in your eye. If medicines don’t work, or if you have angle-closure glaucoma, you may need surgery.
Laser surgery can sometimes help treat open-angle glaucoma. A tiny hole is made in the iris, which helps the eye drain fluid better. Generally, glaucoma surgery is safe and effective. But like any surgery, it has some risks. Be sure to talk to your eye doctor about the risks and benefits of surgery before you decide to have it.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
The main symptom of glaucoma is vision loss. But in the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. That’s why it’s essential to get regular comprehensive eye exams so that glaucoma can get detected early.
If you have angle-closure glaucoma, you may have symptoms such as pain in the eye, headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. These symptoms may happen suddenly and can get worse quickly. Call your eye doctor or emergency room immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
Get Glaucoma Treatment with Dr. Croley in Ocala, FL!
We treat glaucoma in Ocala, Gainesville, Lady Lake, Leesburg, and Inverness, Florida. You can expect a warm welcome from Dr. Thomas Croley! Request a consultation today by calling (352) 237-8400.