Glaucoma is one of the conditions that are most dreaded that affect eyes. When one gets diagnosed with it, they may become so worries and the world might come crumbling around them. It leads to vision loss that is painless, relentless and progressive. It is the second most common cause of blindness that is preventable. When considering glaucoma San Antonio TX residents need to know some useful facts about it.
There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.
Glaucoma occurs because of two different sets of causes. The first is when the defect lies within the eyes, which is the more common cause. The other cause is when the defect lies at the optical disc. This is less common. In the case when the defect lies in the eyes, it will involve increase in eye pressure and the optic nerve will get damaged. This is caused by the increased pressure. The increased pressure will damage the optic nerve through reduction of blood supply to the optic nerve. Direct pressure also damages nerve cells.
It is important that one knows the cause of increased pressure within eyes. Normally, there is constant formation of fluids in eyes which drain out constantly. This fluid is called aqueous humor and is not same as tears because tears are formed outside eyes whereas the aqueous humor is on the outside. When there is drainage, there will be imbalance in fluids forming and draining. The is what causes pressure rise.
There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.
There are three treatment options that one can consider. They are laser treatment, use of eye drops and surgery. The medications will be given as eye drops. In very rare instances, pills may be used but as a temporary measure. Medications work by limiting quantity of fluids produced by eyes. Drainage will also be improved when eye drops and medications are used.
Laser surgical treatment will involve using low energy light beams. The beams of light are aimed at drainage channels so that there is better outflow. This will in turn reduce pressure in eyes. The surgery is performed in the office of a surgeon.
Surgical treatment will be recommended when eye drops and laser procedures do not reduce eye pressure. There are surgical procedures used to improve drainage. These include placement of stents and shunts.
There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.
Glaucoma occurs because of two different sets of causes. The first is when the defect lies within the eyes, which is the more common cause. The other cause is when the defect lies at the optical disc. This is less common. In the case when the defect lies in the eyes, it will involve increase in eye pressure and the optic nerve will get damaged. This is caused by the increased pressure. The increased pressure will damage the optic nerve through reduction of blood supply to the optic nerve. Direct pressure also damages nerve cells.
It is important that one knows the cause of increased pressure within eyes. Normally, there is constant formation of fluids in eyes which drain out constantly. This fluid is called aqueous humor and is not same as tears because tears are formed outside eyes whereas the aqueous humor is on the outside. When there is drainage, there will be imbalance in fluids forming and draining. The is what causes pressure rise.
There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.
There are three treatment options that one can consider. They are laser treatment, use of eye drops and surgery. The medications will be given as eye drops. In very rare instances, pills may be used but as a temporary measure. Medications work by limiting quantity of fluids produced by eyes. Drainage will also be improved when eye drops and medications are used.
Laser surgical treatment will involve using low energy light beams. The beams of light are aimed at drainage channels so that there is better outflow. This will in turn reduce pressure in eyes. The surgery is performed in the office of a surgeon.
Surgical treatment will be recommended when eye drops and laser procedures do not reduce eye pressure. There are surgical procedures used to improve drainage. These include placement of stents and shunts.
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