Some eye diseases and disorders cause plenty of irritation and annoyance without actually resulting in permanent damage. On the other end of the spectrum, however, there are problems that may do lasting destruction without giving you much advance warning at all. Glaucoma is one of the dangerous lurkers; a condition that can and does lead to blindness if it goes undiagnosed and untreated. If you're concerned about this sight-stealing ailment, you'll want to visit Texas Eye Surgeons for advanced treatment methods that can save your vision.
What You Should Know About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a term applied to various problems that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve of the eye. Some cases of glaucoma are congenital, related to eye surgery or injury, or even totally mysterious in their origins. Most of the time, however, they're associated with the buildup of a fluid inside the eye called the aqueous humor. The eye is constantly producing this fluid, with the excess fluid normally exiting through a drainage system. If that drainage system "backs up," the fluid pressure will increase until it destroys the fibers of the optic nerve.
Glaucoma may take one of two forms. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common variety, involves a partial blockage or sluggishness in the drainage system. This condition may damage your eyes for years before you start to notice vision loss (starting with the peripheral vision). Some people can experience angle-closure glaucoma, an acute emergency in which the drainage system fails completely. This condition may cause massive vision loss in a matter of hours, accompanied by headaches, nausea and eye pain.
Treatment Options at Our Plano Ophthalmology Center
As scary as glaucoma may be, you'll be glad to know that it can be controlled through the prompt, advanced treatment available at our Plano ophthalmology center. The majority of glaucoma cases respond well to medication. In addition to medicated eye drops, we may prescribe oral medications to reduce the eyes' fluid production or help the drainage system work well.
If medication isn't sufficient to get your glaucoma under control, we may recommend surgery. These safe, quick, painless procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis at our Plano clinic. A laser procedure called laser iridotomy can add an additional drainage hole at the front of the eye; this method is frequently recommended for angle-closure glaucoma. Non-laser surgical techniques such as trabeculectomy are another option.
Save Your Eyes From Glaucoma By Contacting Texas Eye Surgeons Today!
The sooner we begin treating your glaucoma, the less damage it can do to your eyesight. So don't wait -- call Texas Eye Surgeons at 972-379-3937 to schedule an appointment for your glaucoma or other conditions today!