How to Prevent and Treat Glaucoma in Boulder

Glaucoma includes a group of eye disorders that affect the optic nerve. Pressure builds up in the eye due to fluid, causing damage to the optic nerve and eventual deterioration, which may lead to blindness. According to the American Glaucoma Society, the disorder is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults. There are three main types of glaucoma, which differ depending on how quickly the pressure builds inside the eye: chronic open angle glaucoma, closed angle glaucoma, and narrow angle glaucoma. Glaucoma is treatable, but it must be caught early to avoid blindness, since treatment cannot restore sight. Luckily, the possibility of blindness due to glaucoma is totally preventable in many cases. Read on to discover how to prevent or treat glaucoma boulder.

Prevention Glaucoma can be caught in its earliest stages with regular eye checkups. This is the key to prevention in most cases. When glaucoma is caught early, measures are taken to arrest the build-up of pressure within the eye due to excess fluid. Eye drops are sometimes prescribed in order to decrease fluid production or help the eye drain the fluid properly. In more extreme cases pills may be prescribed, or laser treatment/surgery. The key to prevention, however, is regular checkups along with glaucoma testing. Treatment For later-stage glaucoma, treatment may include all three actions: eye drops, laser treatment, and surgery. The goal is mainly to lower and stabilize eye pressure. According to the American Glaucoma Society, a doctor will usually determine a “target pressure” for a particular person in regard to their treatment. This goal may have to be changed later depending on the state of the optic nerve and how the visual field fares.

Things to Consider When Treating Glaucoma in Boulder There are a few things to think about in regard to glaucoma treatment. · Glaucoma usually does not come with any visible symptoms. When vision loss begins, this is already a later stage of glaucoma. · Glaucoma can be either acute or chronic. Most cases are chronic, which means that it is a lifelong disease -- it can only be controlled, not cured. · Some types of glaucoma result in blindness despite treatment. This is not common. · Prognosis is better for those who establish a good relationship with their eye doctor, regularly get checkups, stick to their regimen for treatment, and generally make lifestyle changes necessary to control the disease.

Conclusion If caught early enough, blindness resulting from glaucoma is preventable. In most cases, the disease can be controlled and vision will remain functional throughout the patients’ life. It’s also important to remember that blindness from glaucoma cannot be treated or reversed. It’s incredibly important to get regular checkups and screenings to decrease the risk and maintain eye health. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not treasure their vision until the possibility of losing it presents itself. Eye health needs to be looked after just as much as bodily health. The right eye doctor/eye care center can help keep every patient’s eyesight in the best condition possible.