Glaucoma: What Our Ophthalmologist Wants You to Know

Glaucoma is actually the name for a group of disorders, all of which affect the optic nerve. In order for your eyes to function without problems, the optic nerve needs to be healthy. Glaucoma conditions often cause damage to the optic nerve due to unusually high levels of pressure in the eye. At Texas Eye Surgeons, our treatment staff has years of experience helping glaucoma patients find relief.

Causes of Glaucoma

Doctors aren't completely sure what starts the process within the eye that results in glaucoma. It's thought that there are genetic factors related to glaucoma. People who are over the age of 60 and/or have a family history of glaucoma are more likely to develop the disease than the rest of the population. The eye pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve (resulting in glaucoma) builds due to problems with either the amount of fluid in the eye or the eye's drainage system. In some people, the eye produces too much fluid. In others, the drainage system doesn't work as quickly as it should, resulting in too much fluid in the eye. When this pressure gets too high, the optic nerve begins to break down. As the optic nerve deteriorates, blind spots in the vision may result.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

There are many different symptoms that may indicate glaucoma, including:

• A ring of light, or a halo around lights
• Migraines and/or severe headaches
• Blind spots in one or both eyes
• Tunnel vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Eye pain

It's important to note that these symptoms can be indicative of other conditions (such as migraine with aura). If you are experiencing these symptoms, it's important that you get checked out by an eye doctor in order to rule out glaucoma. 

Glaucoma Treatment

While glaucoma is a degenerative condition with no cure, there are many different treatments to alleviate the symptoms. These include prescription eye drops, oral medications, and/or eye surgery. Our ophthalmologist will work with you to create a treatment plan unique to your needs. 

Call Our Eye Surgeon in Plano & Greenville

If you or a loved one have glaucoma, or are showing symptoms you think may be related to glaucoma, it's important that you seek treatment from an eye doctor right away. At Texas Eye Surgeons in Plano/ Greenville, our ophthalmologists have years of experience helping glaucoma patients find relief from symptoms. If you need to work with an eye surgeon to find relief from glaucoma, we've got you covered. Call our conveniently located Plano office at 972-379-3937.