What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma encompasses a range of conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve due to increased pressure of the fluid of the eye. This fluid drains typically where the iris and cornea meet through mesh-like tissue. When the body overproduces fluid or drainage is inhibited, pressure builds up.
The gradual damage to the nerve is painless, with vision problems developing very slowly. With little to no symptoms at the onset of the disease, nearly half of the people affected do not know they have the disease.
While early symptoms might only be small blind spots or decreased peripheral vision, inevitably, the disease can cause total blindness. It is one of the most common eye diseases among adults. Three million Americans have the disease, which is the second leading cause of blindness.
Personal Risk Factors for Glaucoma
There is currently no cure for glaucoma. Since anyone can get glaucoma, regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to detect and prevent damage. However, several factors increase your chances of developing glaucoma.
- Genetics: If you are of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent or have a family history, specifically first-degree blood relatives with the condition, you are at an increased risk.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Chronic medical conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes, and sickle cell anemia can significantly increase your risk for glaucoma.
- Injury: Whether the trauma to the eye is blunt or penetrating, severe injury to the eye can put you at risk of developing glaucoma.
- Medications: Steroids are linked closely as a risk factor for developing glaucoma.
- Age: While it can develop at any age, the most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma, is most often seen in individuals 60 years and older.
You should schedule a yearly eye exam if you have any of the above risk factors.
Eye Exams That Catch Glaucoma Early
The best way to prevent or manage glaucoma is to catch it early.
Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose glaucoma. Eye dilation is often a valuable tool for an optometrist to better see through to the retina and optic nerve. By inducing dilation and using special equipment, they can get a better overall look at your eye's physical condition.
Drops are instilled into the eyes, which prevent the iris muscles from constricting, thus leaving the pupil in a dilated state. While dilation eye drops are entirely painless, there are a few noticeable side effects from these eye drops that can last from four to six hours post-exam, including light sensitivity (also called photophobia), and possibly blurred vision.
If you can’t work around the side effects of dilation or have experienced extreme photophobia or blurred vision caused by the eye drops, don’t use that as an excuse to skip the exam. There are examination techniques that provide your optometrist with a good view of the retina without the use of drops to dilate the eyes.
One such technique is a new technology called Optomap. It uses a laser ophthalmoscope to digitally scan the back of the retina in a matter of seconds without dilation. While a regular non-dilated exam might only allow your eye doctor to view about 15% of the retina, Optomap opens the view up to 82% of the eye. Digital wide field imaging, such as Optomap, is a clinically equivalent substitute for dilation for many patients.
If you start to experience frequent blind spots in either your central or peripheral vision or tunnel vision, you should look into scheduling a visit to the ophthalmologist. And seek immediate medical attention in the event of eye pain, redness, blurred vision, or halos around light sources.
Reducing Your Risk of Eye Disease
While our eyes will inevitably change with time, one can take several steps to help minimize and lower their risk of developing an eye disease as they age. Here are our top recommendations:
- Be aware of any family history of eye disease. Many, like glaucoma, have a potential genetic component that allows it to be passed through generations.
- Eat healthy foods that maintain good blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
- Wear sunglasses and other eye protection to keep your eyes from environmental damage.
- Stay away from smoking and vaping, which can significantly affect eyesight.
- Get regular eye exams to keep ahead of any changes in your vision.
Schedule Your Glaucoma Eye Exam
Everyone has different histories and lifestyles, making eye care needs unique. You should have an eye doctor who considers you and can give common-sense recommendations. If you have any of the five main risk factors for glaucoma, schedule an appointment with Asheville Vision and Wellness today to see what experienced care with the latest technology can do for your vision needs.
For over three decades, we have helped patients throughout western North Carolina with a wide variety of eye care, including comprehensive eye examinations, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medical eye evaluations. We also have a wide variety of the latest eyewear, from basic to designer.
If you need a regular eye exam or think you may be at risk for eye disease, come in and talk to our specialists today. Our optometrists are certified in diagnosing, treating, and managing ocular diseases.