By Eloise Hewitt


Glaucoma is used in reference to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage of the nerve that transmits signals to the brain- the optic nerve. It is the damage to this nerve that leads to vision loss. When the pressure inside the eyes, called intraocular pressure, is increased too much, the eyes will likely get damaged. This is among the leading causes of blindness. The damage to vision occurs so gradually that one may fail to realize until the condition is advanced. For those suffering from glaucoma San Antonio offers various options of treatment.

The most common type is the primary-angle glaucoma. It has no noticeable signs or symptoms except for the fact that the seriousness increases gradually. When diagnosis is done early and treatment scheduled, damage to the optic nerve is minimized and any vision loss related to it avoided. The eyes should be examined regularly and this should include measurement of intraocular pressure.

Primary-angle and angle-closure glaucoma have very different symptoms. The first of the two, primary-angle, is of two types; gradual loss of peripheral vision in the two eyes and tunnel vision during the advanced stages. The other, angle-closure, has symptoms such as blurred vision, pain in the eyes, vomiting, sudden onset of visual disturbance and nausea. This condition is referred to as secondary when it can be traced to known causes and primary when the causes are unknown.

Patients should not wait for symptoms to be noticeable. The key to early detection is to go for regular eye check-ups. In case one realizes severe pain in the eyes, strong headaches, blurred vision, nausea or halos around the eye, immediate care should be sought. Otherwise, one may risk seeking medical attention when it is too late.

The eye pressure results from build-up of fluid known as aqueous humor which flows in and out of eyes. The fluid normally leaves the eye through a drainage system which is at the angle where the cornea and iris meet. In case this drainage system does not work properly then the fluid is not able to normally filter out of eyes. This is what leads to pressure build-up within the eye.

Some risk factors will make an individual more susceptible to the condition. Age is one of the crucial factors that determine how easily one may contract it. Persons that are 40 years and above are at more risk of contracting angle-closure glaucoma. African-Americans are more at risk of developing the condition, plus it affects much younger people. Mexican-Americans over 60 years are at higher risk.

Persons that have a family history of glaucoma have a greater risk of development. There is a genetic link to the condition, which means that there is a defect in one or more genes which makes some individuals to be more susceptible to the disease. Medical conditions that may increase risk of infection are high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases.

The main aim of treatment is reduction of pressure in the eyes. For treatment of this condition, the doctors may lower pressure of eyes, improve drainage of the eyes and also reduce amount of fluid produced in the eyes. It cannot be cured and damages resulting from it cannot be reversed. However, early detection prevents vision loss.




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