Glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness in people who exceed 60 years of age. Besides, glaucoma can occur at any age, and it can also develop without any symptoms or warning signs. Nonetheless, undergoing an eye exam in Brampton that optometrists conduct can help people detect this eye disease. In addition, it is also important for people with glaucoma to know when they need to undergo an eye exam.
Moreover, any reputable optometrist, like one from Mac & Co Eye-Care, takes a comprehensive look at the whole visual system of people during an eye exam. Further, an esteemed optometrist or eye doctor can best recommend people when they need to undergo eye exams.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause damage to your optic nerve. In addition, this eye disease can occur when the normal pressure inside your eyes slowly develops to an unhealthy level. The pressure that can rise to an unhealthy level, in the case of glaucoma, is termed intraocular pressure. Patients with glaucoma can suffer vision loss or blindness. Nonetheless, it is possible to treat glaucoma if an optometrist discovers it via an eye exam at an early stage. Treatments that eye doctors may put to use can decrease the progression of glaucoma. Generally, glaucoma is of two types, including open-angle and closed-angle.
Open-Angle Glaucoma:
Open-angle glaucoma is the type of glaucoma that develops slowly. Unfortunately, open-angle glaucoma isn’t possible to detect until it advances because it generally doesn’t occur with symptoms.
Closed-Angle Glaucoma:
Closed-angle glaucoma can occur more suddenly, unlike open-angle glaucoma. In addition, it also progresses faster than open-angle glaucoma.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Symptoms of glaucoma may vary contingent on the type of glaucoma you may have. Further, the symptoms may also vary based on the progression of glaucoma. In the case of open-angle glaucoma, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Tunnel vision
- Blind spots in one or both eyes
In the case of closed-angle glaucoma, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Eye pain
- Blurred visions
- Nausea & vomiting
- Eye inflammation
- Halos around lights
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is important that you book an eye exam in Brampton. An optometrist can properly diagnose you with glaucoma and start the appropriate treatment to help you fight the disease.
Do You Know What Causes Glaucoma?
Glaucoma can occur without any particular cause; nonetheless, there are a number of risk factors that can cause it. Here are the risk factors that can possibly cause glaucoma:
- Rise in intraocular pressure
- Ageing, especially when you cross 60 years of age
- If you are Black, Hispanic, or Asian
- If you have a family history of glaucoma and other medical conditions
- If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure
- If you have thin corneas
- If you suffer from extreme near or far-sightedness
- When you had an eye injury or a certain type of eye injury
- If you have been taking corticosteroid medications for a long time
How Often Do Patients with Glaucoma Need to Undergo an Eye Exam?
Suggestively, people of all ages should visit an optometrist for eye exams every year. It also provides you with the best chance to detect this eye disease at an early stage. Moreover, you will need to undergo eye exams more frequently if you have glaucoma. Besides, people who have or are at risk for glaucoma should undergo complete dilated eye examinations as per the following schedule:
People who are 40 to 49 years old should undergo an eye exam every three years.
People who are 50 to 59 years old should undergo an eye exam every two years.
People who are 60 years older and above should undergo an eye exam once a year.
How Do Optometrists Detect Glaucoma?
Optometrists or eye doctors check for glaucoma as a part of an all-inclusive dilated eye exam. A dilated eye exam is fast and painless but can make your vision blurry after its execution. Thus, it is important you make arrangements for transportation after an exam. Eye doctors give patients some eye drops to dilate or widen the pupil to check for glaucoma during an eye exam. If an optometrist detects any signs of glaucoma, the eye doctor will proceed with the next steps to protect and preserve your vision.
A Few Ways You Have to Avert Glaucoma
You can lower your chances of developing glaucoma and reduce its progression in the following ways:
- If you exercise regularly
- Take prescribed eye drops that the doctors recommend you
- Wear eye protection
Conclusion
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is common among people who are 60 years older and more. Nonetheless, it can occur at any age. Symptoms of glaucoma include tunnel vision, headaches, eye pain, blurred vision, and more. Regularly undergoing an eye exam in Brampton can help an optometrist detect it in people at an early stage. Then, the eye doctor can proceed with the appropriate treatment to protect and preserve the vision of people who have glaucoma.
