Glaucoma in Brookhaven, GA

An eye disease exhibiting no early symptoms, glaucoma can lead to significant vision loss or blindness. Caused by a buildup of pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure, the disease usually runs in families and does not show itself until your later years. To prevent glaucoma, early detection is needed through regular visits to your eye doctor in Brookleigh, GA. As for other facts concerning glaucoma, here is what you need to know.

Permanent Vision Loss

If you lose vision due to glaucoma, it will be a permanent loss. To prevent this from happening, your eye doctor will regularly monitor the pressure in your eyes and offer various treatments, such as specialized eye drops, that can keep the pressure at acceptable levels.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Along with a buildup or intraocular pressure, other causes of glaucoma can include severe eye infections, blocked blood vessels inside the eye, and blunt or chemical injuries to the eye. Though glaucoma will usually affect both eyes, it will likely be worse in one than the other.

Risk Factors

Though potentially anyone is at risk of glaucoma, certain risk factors are associated with the disease. The most common are people with a family history of glaucoma, those suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure, anyone over age 40, are of African-American descent, or have corneas that are thinner than usual.

Symptoms

While glaucoma generally exhibits no early symptoms, some do begin to display themselves as the disease progresses. These include loss of peripheral vision, seeing halos around lights, vision that starts to appear blurry or foggy, or if you begin having headaches or eye pain on a regular basis.

Due to the serious consequences associated with glaucoma, always schedule regular exams with your Brookhaven eye doctor at Brookleigh Family Eyecare so that any potential problems can be found as early as possible.