Approximately three million Americans have glaucoma, making it a common eye condition in the U.S. today. It’s also the second leading cause of blindness across the globe.
Early detection is crucial for glaucoma patients to avoid vision loss. Here, we’ll discuss how to pinpoint the beginning signs of glaucoma and preserve your vision.
Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to multiple eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. Though glaucoma can develop at any age, it’s the most common in older adults.
Most often, glaucoma develops when excess fluid accumulates in the front portion of the eye. This fluid raises the pressure in the eye, ultimately damaging the optic nerve. However, some cases of glaucoma occur without increased pressure in the eye.
There are several different forms of glaucoma, the most common of which are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the eye’s drainage canals gradually become clogged. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage canals become partially or fully blocked, like a covered drain.
The Earliest Signs of Glaucoma
In open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, there may be no warning signs. This is why it’s crucial to schedule yearly appointments with your eye doctor, who can identify signs of glaucoma through various tests.
However, in some cases, patients may experience the following early signs of glaucoma:
- Blurred, hazy, or distorted vision
- Pain around the eyes and head
- Eye redness caused by elevated eye pressure
- Bright, colored halos around light sources
- Nausea or vomiting accompanied by eye pain
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment at The Eye Clinic of Florida immediately. Dr. Mahootchi has more than 25 years of experience with glaucoma care and specialty surgery. We can help preserve your vision and prevent future vision loss with ongoing glaucoma treatment.