Glaucoma is one of the eye conditions that is most feared the world over. When you first get diagnosed with this condition, your world can come crumbling. The condition is known to be the cause of painless and relentless vision loss. It has been classified as the second most lethal cause of blindness that is preventable. In consideration of glaucoma San Antonio TX residents need to know some useful information about it, including treatment options and causes.
There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.
There are two causes of glaucoma. The first is whereby the defect is within eyes. This is the commonest cause. The other cause is when such defects lie in the optical disk. It is not as common. If the defect is in eyes, it involves increase in pressure of eyes and optical nerve will be damaged. This results because of increased pressure. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve by reducing blood supply to the optic nerve. Nerve cells also damage nerve cells.
It is important that one knows the cause of increased pressure within eyes. Normally, there is constant formation of fluids in eyes which drain out constantly. This fluid is called aqueous humor and is not same as tears because tears are formed outside eyes whereas the aqueous humor is on the outside. When there is drainage, there will be imbalance in fluids forming and draining. The is what causes pressure rise.
There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.
There are three treatment options that one can consider. They are laser treatment, use of eye drops and surgery. The medications will be given as eye drops. In very rare instances, pills may be used but as a temporary measure. Medications work by limiting quantity of fluids produced by eyes. Drainage will also be improved when eye drops and medications are used.
Laser surgical treatment will involve using low energy light beams. The beams of light are aimed at drainage channels so that there is better outflow. This will in turn reduce pressure in eyes. The surgery is performed in the office of a surgeon.
The use of surgery is recommended when laser treatment and eye drops do not manage the pressure. Surgery is supposed to enhance drainage. It will will include placing shunts and stents.
There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.
There are two causes of glaucoma. The first is whereby the defect is within eyes. This is the commonest cause. The other cause is when such defects lie in the optical disk. It is not as common. If the defect is in eyes, it involves increase in pressure of eyes and optical nerve will be damaged. This results because of increased pressure. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve by reducing blood supply to the optic nerve. Nerve cells also damage nerve cells.
It is important that one knows the cause of increased pressure within eyes. Normally, there is constant formation of fluids in eyes which drain out constantly. This fluid is called aqueous humor and is not same as tears because tears are formed outside eyes whereas the aqueous humor is on the outside. When there is drainage, there will be imbalance in fluids forming and draining. The is what causes pressure rise.
There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.
There are three treatment options that one can consider. They are laser treatment, use of eye drops and surgery. The medications will be given as eye drops. In very rare instances, pills may be used but as a temporary measure. Medications work by limiting quantity of fluids produced by eyes. Drainage will also be improved when eye drops and medications are used.
Laser surgical treatment will involve using low energy light beams. The beams of light are aimed at drainage channels so that there is better outflow. This will in turn reduce pressure in eyes. The surgery is performed in the office of a surgeon.
The use of surgery is recommended when laser treatment and eye drops do not manage the pressure. Surgery is supposed to enhance drainage. It will will include placing shunts and stents.
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