Although there is no cure for glaucoma, research and technology have made it incredibly straightforward for eye doctors to identify the symptoms and provide treatment options to prevent additional damage.
When you visit Eye Care Centre for regular glaucoma testing and examination, our Optometrists will examine carefully both of your eyes for pressure and potential damage of the optic nerve, which are the early signs of glaucoma. A buildup of fluid inside the eye causes the pressure. This fluid is distinctly different from your tears, which only affect the outside of your eyes.
It is important to know that if you have developed chronic or open-angle glaucoma, you are not alone. In fact, as the most common type of glaucoma, this condition occurs slowly, making it difficult to detect.
Clogs build up inside the eye’s drainage canals, increasing pressure and damaging the optic nerve. It affects the cornea, the white part of the eye, and the iris. People with chronic glaucoma have an open angle chamber, enabling the build up of pressure and injuring the optic nerve.
In acute glaucoma, the angle of the chamber narrows and affects the ability of the eyes to drain fluid properly. This condition is common in people of Asian descent. The blockage occurs suddenly, causing visible and dangerous symptoms, such as a headache, severe eye pain, blurred vision, profuse tearing, and haloes.
You should request urgent glaucoma testing at Eye Care Centre if you experience any of these signs. Age increases the risk of acute glaucoma because the lens of the eye naturally enlarges, causing the angle to narrow. Farsightedness also enhances the risk because the angles in the eye are restricted.
In some individuals, optic nerve damage can occur even when the eye pressure is within normal range. Risk factors include systemic heart disease, genetics, or Japanese ancestry.
An Optometrist can recognize normal tension glaucoma with an ophthalmoscope by looking through the pupil at the shape and color of the optic nerve. A visual field test generates a map of the vision field, allowing our Optometrists to detect vision loss that you may not even notice.
In rare instances, an infant’s eye drainage canals do not develop fully during the prenatal period. Cloudy or enlarged eyes, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing are warnings that parents should seek glaucoma testing in Red Deer for their baby.
Laser surgery is frequently successful in correcting pediatric glaucoma.
According the CNIB, if glaucoma is not treated promptly, it can progress to narrowing of the central vision. It may also result in complete vision loss.
Detecting glaucoma early is vital because most symptoms go unnoticed. Because many people are often unaware they have glaucoma, it is imperative to schedule your annual eye health exams at Eye Care Centre. Our Optometrists will observe any changes over time, particularly as your eyes age, to ensure they detect any early signs of eye disease and recommending preventative treatment.
