Glaucoma Procedures as well as Ways to Lessen Risks

Glaucoma is an eye condition that could cause decreased vision, optic disc damage and in serious cases, blindness. It is caused by excess eye pressure that could cause problems such as headaches and pain in the eyes. Risk factors include genetics, corneal thickness, ethnicity and age. Diabetes, injury to the eye and low blood pressure may also be noted during the pre-diagnosis stage. Patients may develop this condition in one or both of their eyes. If treatment is not received for this disease, it it will probably lead to a lack of peripheral vision and eventually, a complete loss of vision.

How Glaucoma Can Be Treated

Early intervention is the best way to halt the effects, and committing yourself to take care of your eyes is also helpful. Making regular appointments with your eye hospital can assist your eye doctor in early detection of the disease before it develops into a serious illness. Injections, medication and other treatments are available to reduce the severity of glaucoma related pain or symptoms and may also prevent the disease from becoming worse over time.

Screening/Exams

Eye tests remain to be a good way to identify glaucoma in sufferers. Eye doctors are able to measure peripheral vision using the visual field test. A dilated eye exam involves the use of eye drops to widen the pupils, so that a doctor can examine the retina and optic nerve. A visual acuity test determines a patient's ability to see objects at varying distances. To measure the cornea, numbing eye drops are administered and an ultrasonic wave is used. Finally, pressure in the eye is measured using tonometry.

Medicine Can Help the Glaucoma Disease

Your eye doctor can prescribe medicines or eye drops which can help lessen excess pressure in the eye and cut down the amount of fluid in the eye. Medication often has to be taken regularly throughout the day and may cause reactions and side effects in users. In a large number of cases, patients will have to use the medication indefinitely in order to maintain the disease.

Conventional Surgery

Many people turn to conventional surgery as a last resort. This surgery is used to remove a portion of eye tissue that can create a channel for improved fluid drainage. However, at a later time, this drainage channel may become narrower, which may result in the patient needing further surgery. Conventional surgery could lead to problems with the cornea, inflammation and an increased risk of infection.

Laser Surgery to Treat Glaucoma

Each eye is treated separately during Laser surgery. Laser trabeculoplasty helps the eye’s draining process by using a laser beam. Drainage holes are stretched out for superior drainage and to relieve overall pressure in the eye.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Treat or Reduce Glaucoma

To reduce the possibility of developing this condition, it is recommended that patients learn to control their weight as this will help to reduce the chances of developing diabetes, as diabetics are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma. It is also suggested that patients wear eye protection in order to avoid preventable eye injuries.

While LASIK surgery may not be an option for most glaucoma patients, a stable condition can make certain individuals eligible for the procedure. In addition, there is custom laser surgery which may be available to patients suffering with this eye complaint. To determine whether this procedure is suitable for you, make an appointment with an eye care professional.

With help from Dr Harvey Carter complaints pertaining to Glaucoma could be a thing of the past. contact Doctor Harvey Carter to talk about your Dallas glaucoma treatment options.