Glaucoma Explained in Lake Worth, FL

Glaucoma is the name for a set of conditions that can harm the optic nerve. The optic nerve is in charge of transmitting visual information to the brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blind spots and/or complete blindness. This disease almost always occurs because of increased fluid buildup within the eye, which places pressure on the optic nerve. Initially, glaucoma doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Because of this, glaucoma is known as the "silent thief" of vision. Though glaucoma does not have a cure, patients can manage it with early detection and customized therapies.

Glaucoma is one reason why scheduling comprehensive eye exams at least every other year is imperative to your overall ocular health. At Palm Beach Eye Center, we have cutting-edge diagnostic technologies, and our Lake Worth, FL, eye doctors have expertise in the most advanced management techniques. If you are older than 40 years old, please call our Lake Worth, FL practice to schedule your eye exam and manage your ocular health.

Glaucoma can cause serious vision problems if left untreated. It is important to manage this vision condition with an experienced glaucoma specialist. Your eye specialist can help determine how severe your glaucoma is and the best avenues to prevent it from worsening. The primary benefit of glaucoma management is to lower the pressure in your eye to prevent damaging your optic nerve. Many patients benefit from having an experienced glaucoma specialist overseeing their treatment. If you have recently been diagnosed with glaucoma or have symptoms of this eye condition, you may benefit from consulting one of our experienced ophthalmologists.

The several types and stages of glaucoma usually have no symptoms at all in the initial stages. Be that as it may, each kind may also cause one or two symptoms that feel insignificant or severe. When glaucoma starts to advance, people commonly first notice things like blind spots in their peripheral vision, dimmed vision, eye fatigue, and bloodshot eyes. As the disease advances even further, glaucoma symptoms might start to include rainbows around lights, severely decreased peripheral vision, nausea, and sore eyes. Because glaucoma doesn't typically cause symptoms in the early stages, scheduling frequent comprehensive eye exams is extremely important in discovering it early enough to manage any vision impairment.

Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure within the eye. This pressure, called intraocular pressure (IOP), can result from a buildup of fluid that does not properly drain from the eye. When the drainage channels are blocked or do not function efficiently, the fluid accumulates, causing pressure that can damage the optic nerve over time. While the exact cause is often unclear, factors such as genetics, age, eye injuries, and certain medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing glaucoma. In some cases, a family history of the disease can make individuals more susceptible.

Certain risk factors can put an individual at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Among these are:

• Prolonged use of corticosteroid medication
• Advanced age, particularly those over the age of 60
• Family history of glaucoma
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes

At Palm Beach Eye Center, we'll perform several required tests to determine if someone has glaucoma. All of these tests are quite simple, and over with quickly. First, we will enlarge the pupils and possibly anesthetize the eyes using no-sting eye drops. When the eye drops begin to work, we will start doing the tests. Most of the time, these will include assessing the pressure inside the eye (tonometry) and the corneal thickness (pachymetry), looking at the width of the pathway between the iris and cornea (gonioscopy), observing and recording the condition of the optic nerve, determining the patient’s degree of peripheral vision, and testing for any areas of vision loss.

You may be a candidate for glaucoma management if you have rising intraocular pressure and possible optic nerve damage as a result. Mild cases of glaucoma can typically be treated with medication and eye drops. For more advanced cases of glaucoma, surgery may be required to lower intraocular pressure and help stall the progression of vision loss. To learn more about treatment for glaucoma in Lake Worth, FL, contact Palm Beach Eye Center.

At first, open-angle glaucoma and narrow- or closed-angle glaucoma often do not have symptoms until irreversible damage has happened. You may have an increased risk for the disease if you use corticosteroid eye drops, have abnormally thin corneal tissue, genetics, or certain health conditions, like diabetes mellitus.

Typically, the first signs of glaucoma include blind spots in peripheral vision, hazy eyesight, migraines, and eye redness. For more advanced cases, patients begin to notice a pronounced glare, decreased peripheral vision, nausea, and eye discomfort. To reduce long-term damage and catch this disease in the early phases, patients should undergo routine eye exams. If we do notice signs of glaucoma, we provide a variety of diagnostic test that includes dilating the eyes so we can:

• Review your eye pressure
• Assess your corneal thickness
• Determine the width and space between your cornea and iris
• Look for any blind spots

Diagnostic testing will help us treat the condition and figure out what stage your glaucoma is in. Glaucoma treatments depend on your condition's severity and may include using special eye drops, reducing intraocular pressure, performing treatments like minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), laser surgeries, or trabeculectomies. No matter the procedure, all patients receive a personalized plan to prevent the condition from becoming worse.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Your eye specialist in Lake Worth, FL, can detect glaucoma with several different tests. Glaucoma is typically diagnosed by measuring a patient's eye pressure and checking on the condition of their optic nerve. If you are determined to be a glaucoma suspect, then your glaucoma specialist will also perform a visual acuity test to see if you have lost any vision.

Can glaucoma be cured?
There is no current cure for glaucoma, but the progression of the disease can be halted or stalled with several different types of glaucoma treatment. Depending on the stage of your glaucoma, your glaucoma specialist will design a custom treatment plan to meet your needs.

Will my glaucoma cause blindness?
As glaucoma is a progressive eye disease with no cure, untreated or uncontrolled glaucoma can lead to blindness. The good news is that patients who seek regular care with their glaucoma specialists can significantly decrease their chances of going blind. If you have glaucoma in Lake Worth, FL, then partner with our eye care specialists to preserve your vision.

When is surgery needed for glaucoma?
Surgery is considered when medications and laser treatments don’t sufficiently control eye pressure. Options include trabeculectomy and tube shunt surgery.

How often do I need eye exams if I have glaucoma?
Most patients require check-ups every 3 – 6 months, but frequency depends on how well the disease is controlled.

What foods support eye health with glaucoma?
Leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids, citrus fruits, and foods rich in antioxidants may help support optic nerve health.

At Palm Beach Eye Center, we frequently work with people who experience glaucoma to support and help manage the disease. It’s comforting to know that early detection and intervention can help keep your condition under control. Without proper treatment, you run the risk of advanced stages of glaucoma or end-stage glaucoma, which greatly impacts your ability to see or could cause total blindness. Our South Florida eye doctors urge anyone who has glaucoma symptoms to schedule an appointment at our eye clinic near Delray Beach, FL and Lake Worth, FL.