The human eye is an incredibly complex organ, and it’s imperative that they are kept healthy to function at optimum capacity. When the slightest thing goes wrong with a person’s vision, it can cause major disruption, that’s unfortunately sometime irreversible. An example of this is the pressure of the fluid inside the eye: it must stay within a very narrow range, and if it rises too much, it can damage the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss. This is what occurs in most glaucoma cases.
There are different types of glaucoma, but we’ll focus on the two main ones: open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma happens very suddenly when the drainage canals in the eye are physically blocked by the iris. This form of glaucoma tends to be accompanied by multiple symptoms, such as nausea, headaches, extremely blurry vision, eye pain, and halos around lights. These symptoms are serious warning signs that it’s time to get straight to an eye doctor. About 2.7 million people per year will experience open-angle glaucoma, which accounts for 90% of glaucoma cases. This form is much more gradual. The eye’s drainage canals become clogged a little over time, slowing down effective draining. It can happen so slowly that the patient might not notice it at all until the later stages. This is one reason regular comprehensive eye exams are so crucial for good eye health. The earlier open-angle glaucoma is caught, the earlier we can begin treatment and prevent further damage.
There is currently no way to reverse existing damage to the optic nerve from glaucoma. This may change in the future, but for now, the best thing you can do to protect your vision is to get your eyes regularly tested.
Data and some content from Vision Source, Published January 3, 2022
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Zephyr Medical is a bulk-billed mobile optometry clinic, servicing the South-East Queensland and Northern NSW regions. Our team is dedicated to providing patients with comprehensive services to benefit their eye health in the comfort of their own environment or workplace. Get in touch with us today to book an optometrist appointment that suits your schedule. Book a free appointment here.
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