What Is This Glaucoma You Speak Of?

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of diseases that affect the eye. Through improper drainage, fluid can get trapped in the area in front of the iris. This abundance of liquid leads to an increase in pressure inside the eye. The pressure pushes outwards and is known to cause damage to ocular components.

This is getting on my nerves

One crucial piece of the eye is the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. This thoroughfare allows the brain to make sense out of what the ocular organs take in. As tension places strain on the optic nerve, these cells begin to die from the outside in. The dead cells can no longer transmit information to the brain, resulting in blind spots in vision.

How bad could it possibly be?

If left unchecked, glaucoma will begin to erode sight along the peripheral portion of the eye. Patients experience a blackness creeping in from the outermost part of vision before slowly moving inward. In many cases, this is imperceptible at first and doesn’t become noticeable until a significant portion of acuity is compromised. The blindness that starts on the edges of vision can continue until all sight in the affected eye is gone.

When it’s gone, it’s gone

Once glaucoma has claimed even the slightest bit of vision, that vision is permanently gone. At present, there is no way to reverse blindness caused by the disease. With many individuals around the world unable to seek help, glaucoma has become the leading cause of irreparable blindness today. Routine visits to an eye doctor are essential for catching issues before damage is done.

Glaucoma can move like a tortoise or a hare

For better or worse, glaucoma is generally a very slow-acting disease. Of the two primary forms, open-angle glaucoma is usually asymptomatic and can take years before blindness begins to set in. In many cases, the path to complete blindness in the eye takes upwards of 15 years. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs much more quickly but often comes with several obvious side effects, including intense pain. Such side effects prompt immediate treatment before the permanent issues associated with glaucoma start to set in.

Fighting back against the disease

Glaucoma is an incurable disease at this time and can never entirely go away. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to combat the condition to prevent any sort of permanent damage. Regular visits to a healthcare specialist can not only detect the disease but also prevent blindness from happening. Ophthalmologists look to proven eye medications and ultimately surgery if necessary to keep the condition under wraps.