Glaucoma Faq’s Answered By First Eye Care
At First Eye Care, our Hurst optometrist provides diagnosis, treatment, and management options for any number of eye conditions and diseases. If you live in the area of Hurst, Roanoke, or Woodland Springs and have been looking for an eye doctor you can trust, look no further than any of our three area offices.
One of the more common eye diseases we see and treat, unfortunately, is glaucoma. This eye disease can result in long-term damage to the optic nerve as well as permanent vision loss and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.
What Causes Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in one or both eyes, resulting in excessive pressure eventually being placed on the optic nerve. When the optic nerve becomes damaged by this pressure, vision loss can result. There is no single known cause for why glaucoma occurs in some patients, though a few potential risk factors include age and genetics, as those over the age of 40 and those with a family history of the disease are more likely to develop it themselves.
How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
There is an easy test for glaucoma that can be done by your eye doctor. This is known as a tonometry test, where a special tool is used to measure the pressure inside each of your eyes. This, along with a visual assessment of the optic nerve itself, can help bring an eye doctor to a definitive conclusion as to whether or not you have this eye disease.
What Are The Treatment Options For Glaucoma?
Unfortunately, when vision loss has occurred as a result of glaucoma, it is permanent. However, future vision loss can be prevented with the right glaucoma treatment and management plan. In most cases, eye pressure can be controlled and managed with prescription medications and eye drops, though more severe cases may require laser therapy or a more invasive form of eye surgery to keep under control.
Request An Appointment With A Hurst Eye Doctor Today
If you have any symptoms of glaucoma, or if you’d like to find out more about our treatment options for this common eye disease, we encourage you to book an appointment with our Hurst eye doctor. Also, be sure to ask about our new patient special when you call!