It’s far too easy to take your sense of sight for granted. But, if it starts to fade from glaucoma, you may quickly realize what a precious gift sight truly is.
Unfortunately, vision loss from glaucoma is a reality for millions of Americans each year. We work to preserve our patients’ vision in Tampa Bay with prevention and early intervention, curbing glaucoma-related vision loss before it begins. While it’s not always possible to stop glaucoma from developing, we can delay or entirely prevent vision loss with expert care from our Tampa ophthalmologists.
Read on to learn more about glaucoma, how it can lead to vision loss, and what you can do to preserve your sight.
Understanding Glaucoma in Tampa Bay
Glaucoma is the term used for a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve. As the nerve that connects the eye and the brain, the optic nerve is essential to your sense of sight.
Many (but not all) cases of glaucoma are caused by elevated pressure in the eye. This often occurs when fluid production outpaces fluid drainage in the eye. As fluid accumulates in the front of the eye, the optic nerve can become damaged.
Other factors that can contribute to glaucoma include:
- Older age
- Family history
- The presence of other medical conditions, like high blood pressure
- Long-term steroid medication use
The earliest signs of glaucoma are often unnoticeable or so subtle they can be attributed to other factors. For this reason, annual Tampa eye exams are one of the most powerful tools we have for detecting glaucoma in its early stages. By looking at the optic nerve, we can identify option nerve changes, often years before vision loss begins.
The first step in treating glaucoma to prevent vision loss is often lowering the pressure in the eye. At The Eye Clinic of Florida, we offer numerous glaucoma treatments in Tampa Bay, including various eye drop medications, laser treatments, and numerous specialty glaucoma surgeries. Dr. Mahootchi will carefully evaluate your condition to determine the best option for you.
With an experienced Tampa ophthalmologist by your side, vision loss prevention is possible. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!