Facts About Glaucoma San Antonio Residents Need To Know

By Marlene Blevins


Glaucoma is a group of eye infections that result to optic nerve damage eventually leading to complete loss of vision. It gradually damages the vision and may not be noticed until when it reaches an advanced stage. It is one of the major causes of blindness in most parts of the world, especially in the United States. Before treating glaucoma San Antonio dwellers need to understand some facts.

The main cause of the illness is said to be aqueous humor building up from intraocular pressure. This fluid usually leaves the eye through a drainage system between the iris and the cornea. Any inefficient performance in the system affects the filtration of the fluid and hence causing its accumulation that in the long run results to intraocular pressure.

The infection is categorized into different forms; primary form for those whose source cannot be determined and secondary for those with a traceable origin. The one that mostly occurs is the primary open-angle form whose symptoms are mostly go unnoticed except a steady vision impairment. It is also accompanied by loss of peripheral vision that affects both eyes in severe stages.

The Angle-closure type has totally different symptoms as mostly the patient experiences pain in his/her eyes as well as nausea and vomiting. Patients similarly suffer from abrupt onset of vision impairment especially in faint light. Unclear vision is also experienced as a result of eye reddening and halos from lights rays. Other rare types of the illness include normal-tension, developmental and pigmentary glaucoma.

Although the condition may be troublesome, sufficient supervision on its progression may limit the development of the illness. Diagnosis and treatment at early stages of infection are vital in preventing and minimizing complete spoilage of the optic nerve and checking of vision issues of glaucoma. Regular eye examination is very important for infected persons to ensure intraocular pressure is checked and monitored.

The prevention and treatment of the condition starts with a complete and regular eye examination for all grown-ups from 40 years old. This must be done between 3 to 5 years for individuals without signs of the disease. On the other hand, screening is done after two years for persons with the signs of the disease or individuals above sixty years.

Measures like checking of the visual fields, contrast sensitivity and intraocular pressure are also part of standard care for the disease and are important for its successful management. They can provide information that enables the doctor to select the best mode of treatment. The latter includes things like referral to a low vision specialist.

Occupation therapists can also assist patients by improving the lighting in their homes or recommending adaptive equipment. In addition, they train the patients on their use. Institutions like Lighthouse International or the American foundation for the blind also provide effective resources for patients adapting vision loss.

Sharing of information regularly between the physician and the patient on the condition is always advised as it enables the physician to know the right treatment method to be used. It is also essential for one to be well informed in making healthy decisions that enhance the management of glaucoma. This will help in prevention of new infections.




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