Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. It usually occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed.
Sometimes symptoms do occur. They may include:
- Blurred vision
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Halo effects around lights
- Painful or reddened eyes
Risk factors include age of 40, near-sightedness, being African-American, and a family history of glaucoma.
Your doctor can determine if you have glaucoma or if you are at risk for glaucoma by examining your eyes and using various tests to check for early signs of damage from glaucoma. While glaucoma cannot be reversed, it can be controlled by lowering the eye pressure with eye drops, laser, or surgery. Vision loss can be avoided when glaucoma is detected early and the eye pressure is controlled.
To learn more about Glaucoma, call us today at 410-590-92600.