One of the crucial aspects of healthcare is to ensure patients are aware of their risks for various conditions. Eye diseases don’t often get the attention that is needed to increase the level of awareness people have. We must learn to recognize risks, signs, and the value of early diagnosis if we wish to decrease alarming statistics related to certain conditions. For example, The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that glaucoma is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. There is no cure for glaucoma, which makes it even more important to know how to manage it. Here, we offer details that you need to know so that you can protect your vision.
- Glaucoma is a problem among the elderly.
While statistics do indicate that most cases of glaucoma occur in adults over the age of 60, there have also been cases affecting much younger people. Fortunately, cases in young adults and children are very uncommon but they do occur. This fact alerts us that we need to be aware of risk factors and indications of increased ocular pressure.
- Increased eye pressure is the primary symptom of glaucoma.
This detail is true in most cases. One of the characterizing aspects of glaucoma is that it is difficult to maintain safe levels of intraocular pressure. The persistence of elevated eye pressure asserts stress on the optic nerve at the back of the eye. This nerve is responsible for transferring light from the retina to the brain. Damage to the nerve disrupts this transference, resulting in the loss of vision. Glaucoma does not cause sudden blindness; it decreases vision a little at a time.
- Glaucoma has warning signs.
Glaucoma does not often alert a person right away that vision is in jeopardy. Pressure on the optic nerve is not felt. It does not cause pain or visual disturbances. Without routine eye exams, a person may not know that they have glaucoma until they have lost enough of their vision to notice a problem. At this point, vision cannot be restored. Routine eye exams assess all parts of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and intraocular pressure. These screenings may provide early clues of glaucoma risk and should not be postponed.
Your ophthalmologist knows how to spot the signs of glaucoma and how to manage increased ocular pressure to protect vision. To schedule a comprehensive eye exam in our Ocala office, call (352) 237-8400.