Glaucoma is one of the most common eye illnesses affecting people aged 45 and above. It happens rarely, but babies and children can also get early-onset glaucoma. In the U.S., over 2.7 million adults over 40 have this disease. It’s untreatable but can be managed if detected early, making getting a routine eye exam crucial.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases leading to blindness brought by nerve damage in the optic nerve. It doesn’t usually have symptoms in the early stages, making it a deadly eye disease. The symptoms also start slowly; you’ll notice them only after the disease has set in. The only way to detect it is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Types and Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma comes in the following forms: primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, and glaucoma in children.

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

It’s the most common form of glaucoma. It has no apparent signs in the early stages, but a blind spot develops in the side vision as the disease progresses. This typically happens when the eye has difficulties draining fluid, causing buildup and damage to the optic nerve.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

“Narrow-angle glaucoma” or “closed-angle glaucoma” happens when the iris is close to the drainage angle (the part of the eye that drains the fluid). Here, fluid is blocked from draining due to the position of the iris.

It usually doesn’t have symptoms like the other types of glaucoma. In some cases, eye pain, blurred vision, mild headaches, and halos might occur in the early stages. If it has advanced, you may experience the following:

• Severe eye or forehead pain

• Redness of the eye

• Headache

• Low vision

• Nausea

• Vomiting

If you have these symptoms, meet with your ophthalmologist soon.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma shows no symptoms in the early stages, but as the disease develops, patients may have blurred vision. In the later stages, there will be loss of side vision.

Pigmentary Glaucoma

People with pigmentary glaucoma see halos around lights, and they also experience blurred vision. This type of glaucoma causes gradual loss of side vision.

Glaucoma in Children

Some children are born with glaucoma. They may show the following symptoms as infants: A dull or cloudy eye, increased blinking, and tears without crying.

Older children may experience blurred vision and headaches and may develop nearsightedness that gradually gets worse.

Risk Factors of Glaucoma

Some people are more at risk of developing glaucoma than others. They are people who:

• Are age 40 and above

• Have a history of glaucoma

• Have high internal eye pressure

• Are Asian, Black, or Hispanic

• Have corneas with a thin center

• Have a thinning optic nerve

• Are nearsighted or farsighted

• Have an eye injury

• Used steroid medications for long term

• Have migraines, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health problems
   

If you are at risk, talk with your eye doctor and always go through an eye exam, especially if you have more than one risk factor. Early detection can best save your eyes from this disease.

Glaucoma Treatment

There’s no curing or reversing glaucoma’s damage. But if it has been detected early, medicine and surgery can help prevent further damage. Eye drops can be used to reduce pressure. Laser surgery can also help the fluid flow properly out of the drainage angle.

To learn more about glaucoma care, visit Coastal Vision Medical Group. Our offices are in Chino, Irvine, Long Beach, Orange, and Newport Beach, California. Call (888) 501-4496 to book an appointment today.