Glaucoma

Good vision requires all parts of the eye to work well in unison. While a failure of one or many different areas in the eye will affect vision, the optic nerve is one of the most important structures.

Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is actually several conditions grouped together that cause damage to the optic nerve. The majority of the damages is linked to pressure buildup inside the eye, called intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in patients over the age of 60, but it can develop at any age. the presence of other health conditions can create a propensity to develop glaucoma. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and sickle cell anemia are main contributors to glaucoma as well as having extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness and the long-term use of corticosteroid eye drops. Certain groups of people are more prone to glaucoma. Asian, Hispanic, and people of black descent have a higher likelihood of glaucoma. This condition is also hereditary in some families.

Vision loss progresses as the damage to the optic nerve progresses. Left untreated, permanent vision loss can result in just a few years. Early treatment is needed to prevent vision loss or at least slow it down.

Let Eye Care Associates of Bethany take care of your glaucoma or help monitor for your risk of developing glaucoma.