Glaucoma consists of several eye disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve, which transfers information from your eyes to your brain. In many cases, glaucoma is linked to increasing eye pressure. However, increased eye pressure does not need to be present for the condition to occur.
Glaucoma can cause vision loss, but the right treatment can preserve your vision. The first step is to identify possible issues.
Glaucoma symptoms vary according to the type:
Glaucoma most often affects people aged 55 and older. However, the eye condition can also impact children. Symptoms of glaucoma in infants include cloudiness of the eyes, tearing, and excessive blinking. As for older children, symptoms include worsening near-sightedness, headaches, and blurred vision.
While the effects of glaucoma cannot be reversed, treatments can often prevent more serious effects from occurring. Common glaucoma treatments include oral medications, eye drops, and surgery. You can also maintain eye health through diet and exercise.
Because glaucoma is best treated early, and early forms of the condition don’t always cause symptoms, regular eye exams are crucial. Older adults are encouraged to visit their eye doctors every one to two years. This is the best way to detect changes to one’s vision before major issues occur.