Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness, which makes early detection vital. Visiting our optometrist at Alice Family Eye Center in Alice for a comprehensive eye exam should be part of your overall healthy lifestyle. Glaucoma is a complex and serious eye disease that usually has no early warning signs. Since glaucoma can lead to blindness, it is vital for your eye health to discuss your concerns with your eye doctor and make regular eye exams a part of your healthcare.
Who Gets Glaucoma?
While there may not be early signs, there are some indications of higher risks that you should be aware of. The more you know, the more likely you are to detect glaucoma early. You are at greater risk if:
- You are more than 60 years of age
- Your ethnicity is African, Asian, or Hispanic
- Family members have glaucoma
- Have severe nearsightedness (myopic) or far-sightedness (hyperopic)
- You are using steroid medications
- Have high eye pressure or a thin central cornea
- Have suffered from an eye injury
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. With this type of glaucoma, the fluid in the eye builds up slowly and most people won’t notice any changes in their vision until it is late in the process.
Closed-angle glaucoma is less common and has a sudden onset. It has symptoms including pain in the eye, severe headache, vomiting, blurry vision, halos around lights, redness in the white of the affected eye, and sudden loss of vision.
Treatment
Prevention is the best treatment. If you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or high blood pressure, you are at higher risk and should talk to your eye doctor about how often you need to be tested. If caught early, using eye drops to lower your eye pressure is usually effective. It all depends on the type of glaucoma you have.
Contact Our Optometrist in Alice, TX
Don’t risk your vision, visit our eye doctor at Alice Family Eye Center for an eye exam to check for glaucoma. Call our team today at (361) 668-3937 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
