Glaucoma Treatments - Eye Care and Treatment Information

In the United States alone, medical experts estimate that approximately 3 million people could currently be suffering from the eye disease known as glaucoma. Glaucoma is a very common cause of vision loss, second only to cataracts as the leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma affects a person's vision through the increase of intraocular pressure (or IOC). This pressure affects the functions of the optic nerve and may also impede blood flow to the eye.

Unlike other common eye conditions like presbyopia, myopia, and cataracts, once glaucoma has affected a person's vision that damage can never be repaired. That's why preventing vision loss in glaucoma-affected patients is so important.

How can someone suffering from glaucoma combat the disease?

There are several ways that glaucoma can be treated, but it can never be cured. Basically a glaucoma treatment's primary aim is at stopping the progression of the disease and preventing further vision loss. There are at least six different recognized types of glaucoma, and treatment for the disease depends on which category each individual patient's glaucoma falls into. Left untreated, glaucoma gradually robs a person of their sight, starting with peripheral vision and then blurring or otherwise impeding normal vision until a person is totally blind.

Many early cases of glaucoma go undetected because several glaucoma types present no obvious symptoms. For this reason, many glaucoma sufferers don't even know to seek treatment until their vision has already been affected. That said, early treatment of glaucoma is key to maintaining a person's current quality of vision.

Many mild cases of glaucoma can be treated with prescription medicines designed to reduce the fluid retained in the eye and by extension to relieve pressure on the optic nerve. More severe cases of glaucoma may require surgery to prevent the further progression of a condition that has already caused significant damage the eye.

A skilled refractive surgeon can use vision technology to help detect glaucoma early. If you are suffering with vision problems, contact a qualified ophthalmologist today.