Hearing the word Glaucoma often causes confusion and fear in patients who have been to see an optometrist in the Norristown, PA, area. Understanding just what glaucoma is, and what the possible treatments may help to stem the confusion.
Defining Glaucoma
Glaucoma is actually not just one eye disease. Instead, it is a cluster of eye diseases that all end up causing damage to the optic nerve. This nerve is critically important to your vision, as it transfers images from the retina to the brain, resulting in sight. Optic nerve damage of this type typically occurs due to pressure in the eyes. The result of this type of nerve damage is often blind spots in one’s vision. Blindness is a result of the whole nerve being destroyed.
Diagnosing Glaucoma
Eye doctors in and around the Conshohocken, PA area doing regular eye exams will measure the pressure in your eyes, check the angle of drainage from your eyes and check your optic nerve as well. By doing this regularly, they are able to manage your glaucoma and determine what types of treatments might be the most beneficial. Some of these treatments include:
1. Eye Drops – These special drops are used a few times a day, and are sometimes prescribed with pills. By increasing the flow of liquid in the eye, it is possible to decrease much of the pressure in the eye.
2. Pills – Meant to change your eye circulation and lower the pressure, certain medicines are often prescribed to lower the pressure on your optic nerve.
3. Surgery – Special instruments and a good microscope are used by an ophthalmologist to make a new way from the eye to drain fluid. By doing this, pressure is relieved from the eyeball, lessening the chances of further optical knowledge.
4. Laser Procedures – Trabeculoplasty, a laser treatment that helps with eye drainage is also effective at reducing eye pressure.
Proper diagnosis in the Plymouth Meeting, PA area is the first, and most important step toward coping with glaucoma.
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