Have you ever seen someone with cloudy-looking eyes? The chances are that the individual is suffering from glaucoma. Glaucoma is caused by high intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. The good news is that early detection and treatment can help slow glaucoma progression. Please don’t wait until you experience signs of glaucoma to visit our optometrist at the Lickteig Family Eye Care for an eye exam. We have four convenient locations in Massachusetts: Medford, Natick, and Dedham.
What Does Glaucoma Do to the Eyes?
You have clear intraocular fluid in your eye between your iris and cornea. That fluid should flow in and out of your eyes to help nourish tissues. But, when that fluid comes in but doesn’t go out, it builds up pressure in your eye. That pressure causes the most common type of glaucoma called open-angle glaucoma. Low-tension or normal-tension glaucoma also damages your optic nerve but is found in those with normal eye pressure. These types of glaucoma are treated with techniques to lower intraocular pressure.
Why Do People Get Glaucoma?
One of the main risk factors for glaucoma is age. Those 60 and older are one of the larger groups who experience glaucoma. But, there are also other risk factors. You are 4 to 9 times more likely to get glaucoma if you have family members who have it. Glaucoma is more prevalent in those who are African American, Asian, and Hispanic. If you have other health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop glaucoma. Those with extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness and thin corneas see an increase in glaucoma as well.
How to Treat Glaucoma
It can be pretty scary if you are diagnosed with glaucoma, but there is hope. Early detection through an eye exam is good because then you can start fighting glaucoma. Although glaucoma has no cure, regular eye care is one of the most important steps in slowing it down. Our optometrist can check your eye pressure to make sure it isn’t going up. You may be prescribed eye drops to help prevent this. Sometimes oral medications are prescribed, usually a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. There are therapy and surgical procedures that can be done, but research has also shown that a diet rich in vitamins C, E, A, and zinc can also help slow the effects of glaucoma.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist for Eye Care in Medford, Natick, and Dedham
If you are close to Medford, Natick, or Dedham, stop by one of our Lickteig Family Eye Care offices for the best eye care available.