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Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. The problem is that there is no cure for that.
If glaucoma destroys your vision there's no chance it will be restored. However, an early diagnosis can make the treatment help save vision. Who is at risk? People with a family history of glaucoma, African-Americans and people over 60 years old. Glaucoma can damage the eye's optic nerve, which sends images to the brain. A clear fluid flows through a small space to the anterior chamber of the eye. In glaucoma patients the fluid drains slowly and this creates pressure built-up. This pressure is able to damage the optic nerve. A person diagnosed with glaucoma already has optic nerve damaged.
Glaucoma can be present in both eyes or just in one. At first, the disease gives no symptoms, if it's not treated, people slowly lose their vision. At first they have problems with peripheral vision but eventually, they lose the middle of the vision. This may result in blindness.
That is why seniors should visit eye doctors to make visual acuity, visual field, dilated eye tests. Glaucoma is treated with medications such as eye drops or pills and surgery. If medications are taken regularly there is a possibility to prevent from the development of this disease. Some patients may have laser surgery after which the fluid exits the eye more easily. Still, these patients need to take glaucoma drugs.
An early diagnosis is crucial in controlling the disease and preventing from loss of vision.
Added by:
mary
not connected with health care system
Added on:
2009-09-03 12:40:49 ,
Updated:
2009-09-03 12:41:53
Bibliography:
www.livescience.com
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2008-06-16 09:56:33
