Signs of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a very serious eye condition. It is characterized by an increase in eye pressure. When the pressure increases, it can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve. Over time, this condition can cause permanent loss of your side vision. For glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, contact our doctors of optometry in Meridian, MS at Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two types of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the more common type of the two. It occurs when the draining system in your eye doesn't work properly. As the fluid builds up, your eye pressure increases. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the eye's drainage system becomes completely clogged, and the fluid cannot drain at all. This causes a rapid increase in eye pressure.

What Are the Early Signs Of Glaucoma?

Your symptoms would depend on the type of glaucoma that you have. Open-angle glaucoma often shows no early symptoms. That is why open-angle glaucoma is nicknamed, “the silent thief of sight.” In some cases, blurry vision can occur during the early stages.

Angle-closure glaucoma causes a rapid increase in your eye pressure, making you to experience several severe symptoms right away. These include:

• Severe eye pain
• Severe headaches
• Sudden onset of blurry vision
• Seeing halos around lights
• Nausea and vomiting
• Watering of the eyes

Glaucoma Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for either type of glaucoma. Our doctors of optometry can offer treatment methods that can slow the progression of the disease. Eye drops are helpful in keeping the pressure in the eye down in the early stages of the disease. As the condition progresses, laser surgery can help the fluid drain properly, preventing damage to the optic nerve.

Early glaucoma treatment is essential in preventing permanent loss of vision. It is imperative that you schedule annual eye exams with our optometrists for early diagnosis. To book an appointment, give Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian in Meridian, MS a call today at (601) 485-2020.