Glaucoma is an eye condition that’s one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. For years, Eye Centers of Florida has been providing education and care to patients with glaucoma across our 8 Southwest Florida locations. We’re dedicated to helping you maintain your vision by detecting, managing, and treating glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a disease that progressively damages the optic nerve — the part of the eye that controls vision — in one or both eyes. When the condition goes untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss and eventual blindness.
Optic nerve damage is commonly caused by high amounts of pressure on the eye. This is often due to the eye’s fluids failing to drain properly.
The most common type of the disease and occurs when the drainage canals in the eye become clogged. It is the slowest developing glaucoma.
Also known as acute glaucoma, is a rarer and fast-acting disease that causes rapid vision loss.
Also known as low-tension glaucoma because damage to the optic nerve will occur even though the pressure in the eye is not that high. It’s often linked to genetic conditions like heart disease.
The signs and symptoms that signal glaucoma depend on the specific type and stage of the disease. Sometimes glaucoma damages your vision before symptoms are noticeable, which is why early detection is so important.
Signs and symptoms of open-angle glaucoma are:
Sign and symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma
Sign and symptoms normal-tension glaucoma
The experienced Florida eye doctors at Eye Centers of Florida can offer you peace of mind with imaging and screening for glaucoma.
More than three million people in the U.S. are living with glaucoma, and while anyone can develop the disease, some are at a higher risk. Those with a higher risk of developing glaucoma usually have one or more of the following traits.
Signs and symptoms that you’re suffering from open-angle glaucoma are:
These factors can differ based on your specific type of glaucoma. If you believe you’re at higher risk for developing glaucoma, an Eye Centers of Florida doctor can educate you on how to reduce your risk of losing your vision due to the disease.
There’s currently no cure for glaucoma, however, there are ways to treat the disease to ensure that it doesn’t progress any further.
Your doctor may prescribe you medicated eye drops or pills, which are common treatments for milder cases of the disease.
Surgical procedures are recommended to treat severe or quick-developing glaucoma.
We offer several laser eye surgeries to help treat the three primary types of glaucoma. Talking with a doctor can help you decide which laser treatment is best suited for your needs. The procedures we offer to treat glaucoma are:
Glaucoma can be prevented by taking precautionary measures and making lifestyle changes. Regular eye exams are essential to preserving healthy eyes, as well as catching developing glaucoma as early as possible.
It’s important to know your family’s health history and if any of your relatives have a history of glaucoma. If your family is at high risk, you should have frequent glaucoma screenings so you can detect it as early as possible.
Other glaucoma preventions include establishing a regular exercise routine and protecting your eyes from anything that may cause physical eye trauma.
At Eye Centers of Florida, we prioritize exceptional patient care, helping all our patients gain access to the qualified eye specialists and guidance they need to diagnose, manage, and treat glaucoma.
An eye exam is essential for anyone who feels like they may be suffering from glaucoma, as treatment needs to start as soon as possible to prevent further vision loss. Once you have your diagnosis, you can move forward with a customized treatment plan that will help you to effectively preserve your vision and keep your eyes healthy.
If you’re suffering from glaucoma, there’s no time to spare. Schedule an appointment today!
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