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 various causes of glaucoma, both rare and common causes. In fact, it is not a disease but a combination of conditions with the only common thing being that they will lead to damage of optic nerve. The optic nerve is what transmits images from eyes to the brain. The nerves will start getting damaged over a period of time. Being that the loss of vision takes some time, one may not detect it easily.
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 to know why the pressure in the eyes increases. Normally, there will be fluid constantly being formed within eyes and constantly draining out. This is the fluid known as aqueous humor. It is different from tears. Tears are found outside eyes while the aqueous is outside. When drainage happens, the result is that there will be an imbalance in formation and drainage of the fluid. This causes rise of pressure.
The other type is closed angle glaucoma. The part of the eye from where fluids drain is called angle. There is open angle type that is more common and will involve formation of cells in an abnormal way. This happens in such a way that there is not enough drainage of fluids. Pressure in eyes thus increases. It is open angle but which is abnormal, hence the name. In closed cases, drainage angle gets closed in an automatic way that also interferes with fluid drainage within eyes. This version is common in Asian countries.
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.
In the laser surgery options, there is use of light beams of low-energy. There are channels for drainage in eyes that ensure there is better outflow that lowers intraocular pressure. It is a procedure performed at the office of the 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 various causes of glaucoma, both rare and common causes. In fact, it is not a disease but a combination of conditions with the only common thing being that they will lead to damage of optic nerve. The optic nerve is what transmits images from eyes to the brain. The nerves will start getting damaged over a period of time. Being that the loss of vision takes some time, one may not detect it easily.
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 to know why the pressure in the eyes increases. Normally, there will be fluid constantly being formed within eyes and constantly draining out. This is the fluid known as aqueous humor. It is different from tears. Tears are found outside eyes while the aqueous is outside. When drainage happens, the result is that there will be an imbalance in formation and drainage of the fluid. This causes rise of pressure.
The other type is closed angle glaucoma. The part of the eye from where fluids drain is called angle. There is open angle type that is more common and will involve formation of cells in an abnormal way. This happens in such a way that there is not enough drainage of fluids. Pressure in eyes thus increases. It is open angle but which is abnormal, hence the name. In closed cases, drainage angle gets closed in an automatic way that also interferes with fluid drainage within eyes. This version is common in Asian countries.
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.
In the laser surgery options, there is use of light beams of low-energy. There are channels for drainage in eyes that ensure there is better outflow that lowers intraocular pressure. It is a procedure performed at the office of the 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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