From reading and watching television to seeing memories that will last a lifetime, your vision is an important part of your life. Unfortunately, certain conditions that affect both your vision and the underlying health of your eyes can cause physical and emotional distress. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness, so understanding this condition is essential. By debunking these common myths, you will see the truth about glaucoma.
Only the Elderly Develop Glaucoma
One of the most common misconceptions about this condition is that it only affects the elderly. It is true that the older you get, the more risk you have of developing glaucoma, but elderly individuals are not the only age group to suffer from this condition.
Certain types of glaucoma develop congenitally, meaning a newborn baby may be born with it. Pigmentary glaucoma, on the other hand, is inherited and affects a large group of young and middle-aged adults.
Signs of Glaucoma Are Obvious
In the early stages, you may not experience any symptoms. Even patients with perfect vision may develop glaucoma and not experience any vision impairment until the condition has progressed.
Here are a few signs that you may notice during a later stage of glaucoma:
- Blurry vision
- Haloed vision, rainbow colors around lights
- Pressure and discomfort in the eyes and head
- Redness in the eyes
- Headaches
- Nausea, vomiting
It is important to note that each patient is different and may experience different symptoms from others with glaucoma. If you are noticing one or more of the above signs, be sure to consult your optometrist immediately.
Treatment Is Not Necessary
If you are not experiencing any symptoms, you may think treatment is not necessary. Unfortunately, this decision can increase your risk of blindness, since glaucoma will progress to a more severe vision impairment if steps are not taken early.
Your eye doctor will perform a series of tests to determine if your glaucoma is in its early stages. Medications, laser technology, and even surgery may be recommended to slow down the progression of the disease. This will not only prevent further damage to your eyes while protecting your vision, but it will also reduce your risk of going blind once glaucoma processes to a later stage.
Glaucoma may not seem like a serious issue, but it can wreak havoc on your eyesight and quality of life. By seeing the truth about glaucoma, you will realize the importance of diagnosis and treatment. Contact a company like Coastal Eye Care to learn more.
