Glaucoma is an eye disease which is caused due to excessive internal pressure in your eye. Fortunately, it is a highly treatable condition if it is detected early. Left untreated, it can result in serious and irreversible damage to your optic nerves. In severe cases, vision loss and even blindness. And unfortunately, you can't depend on symptoms to alert you to get examined. As with many eye diseases, glaucoma can begin and progress without any obvious signs. By the time you are aware that there is a problem, it may already have caused damage or vision loss. At Family Eyecare of Brighton, we can keep your eyes strong and healthy with a yearly eye exam during which you will be screened for any indications of glaucoma as well as other common eye conditions. With our Brighton CO eye care, you won't have to worry about the worst case scenarios.
Internal eye pressure is the culprit, but what is the reason for that increased pressure? It's the imbalance between the amount of fluid your eyes create and the amount that it drains. Under normal circumstances, your eye produces fluid, circulates it, and then drains the fluid. No problem. But when that drainage is impeded, fluid builds up and along with it the pressure on your eye. In more rare instances, glaucoma can also be brought about by eye injuries, such as those occurring from either chemical contamination or force. A severe eye infection or inflammation could also result in glaucoma. The most common kind of glaucoma is called primary open angle and it's inherited. If you have a family history of glaucoma, it's even more vital that you get an annual exam as an essential component of our Brighton CO eye care.
The baseline test for glaucoma is tonometry, because it measures your internal eye pressure. Other tests, including diagnostic laser scans and automated visual fields may be added depending on the results of tonometry. Be aware that if you notice any loss of vision, redness in your eyes, halos surrounding light, tunnel vision, eye pain, haziness in your eyes, or nausea and vomiting (particularly in conjunction with other symptoms), you should call us right away and schedule an appointment. Our Brighton CO eye care is here to treat and manage any issues that may occur.
By Family Eyecare of Brighton
September 25, 2015