Eye care involves prompt treatment of conditions to maintain your vision. One common ocular problem to be on the lookout for is glaucoma, which can cause permanent damage to the visual organs. Catching it early will help avoid severe issues, so here's a closer look to ensure you take the right steps. 

What Is Glaucoma?

The optic nerve sends signals from the eyes to the brain to create images. It becomes damaged if glaucoma develops, preventing it from transferring visual information effectively. There are two types of this condition, each with different causes.

With open-angle glaucoma, fluids do not flow through the eye efficiently. As a result, the pressure within the organ increases, impacting the optic nerve. While narrow-angle glaucoma also results from increased pressure, it's caused by a deformity in the iris. In this case, the colored part of the eye bulges outward and stops fluids from draining. 

What Symptoms Does It Cause?

Open-angle glaucoma occurs gradually over time. Most people don't experience many symptoms at first. However, they will eventually develop a loss of their peripheral vision. If left untreated, blind spots will affect the central vision as well. 

eAs for narrow-angle glaucoma, there are no symptoms until an attack suddenly occurs. Problems that can arise include severe headache and eye pain, blurriness, nausea and vomiting, halos around bright lights, and redness in the eyes. If you experience any change in your vision, visit an eye care professional immediately to check for glaucoma.

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Timely intervention can save your vision and stop glaucoma from worsening. Upon diagnosis, an optometrist will likely take a conservative approach first. They'll prescribe eye drops to reduce the fluid volume within the eyes and improve drainage to manage pressure. These items can also be combined with medication. 

When symptoms are more severe, surgery is typically the next option. This treatment is common for those diagnosed with narrow-angle glaucoma. Laser surgery can widen the space between the iris and cornea for enhanced drainage. 

The first step to treating glaucoma is getting an accurate diagnosis from an eye care specialist at Eye Care Optical. Based in Montgomery, OH, and backed by over four decades of experience, their skilled staff members provide comprehensive routine exams where they effectively detect ocular disorders. They also fit patients for new prescription glasses or contacts. Learn more about their services by visiting the website, or schedule an appointment by calling (513) 731-6587 today.