Glaucoma is a severe eye disease that can lead to vision loss and blindness. It is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Early detection and treatment are essential for preventing vision loss. You can treat glaucoma with medications or surgery, but early diagnosis is crucial. Anyone at risk for glaucoma should have a comprehensive eye exam every year. If you have glaucoma, you may notice that your eyes are red and sore or that your vision is blurry. You should see a specialist in Glaucoma in Hell’s Kitchen right away if you have any of these symptoms. Glaucoma cannot be cured, but early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss. Here are some of the most common types of glaucoma.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the drainage canals in the eye become blocked. This blocks the normal flow of fluid out of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. Open-angle glaucoma often develops slowly over time, and many people do not notice any symptoms until the disease is advanced.
If it does show symptoms, they may appear as a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. You may also develop a blind spot in the center of your field of vision. You can treat Open-angle glaucoma with medications or surgery, but early diagnosis is essential for preventing vision loss.
Closed-Angle Glaucoma
Closed-angle glaucoma is a less common type of glaucoma that occurs when the drainage canals in the eye become blocked suddenly. This can happen if the pupil becomes enlarged and covers the drainage canals. Closed-angle glaucoma often causes a sudden increase in eye pressure, leading to a rapid loss of vision.
Closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away:
- Severe eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Halos around lights
- A sudden increase in eye pressure
There is no cure for closed-angle glaucoma, but early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Normal-tension glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that occurs when the pressure in the eye is normal. Abnormalities often cause it in the drainage canals in the eye. Normal-tension glaucoma often develops slowly over time, and many people do not notice any symptoms until the disease is advanced. In patients who develop symptoms, normal-tension glaucoma comes in the form of a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. You may also develop a blind spot in the center of your field of vision.
This type of glaucoma is treated with medications or surgery, but early diagnosis is essential for preventing vision loss.
Pigmentary Glaucoma
Pigmentary glaucoma is a rare type of glaucoma caused by a build-up of pigment in the drainage canals in the eye. This can block the normal flow of fluid out of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. Pigmentary glaucoma often develops quickly and causes a sudden increase in eye pressure.
You should treat this type of glaucoma as a medical emergency since it can lead to a rapid loss of vision.
In summary, glaucoma is a severe eye disease that can lead to vision loss and blindness. There are different types of glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma, closed-angle glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma. You can treat glaucoma with medications or surgery, but early diagnosis is essential for preventing vision loss.