Facts About Glaucoma San Antonio TX

By Joyce Brooks


Glaucoma is one of the conditions that are most dreaded that affect eyes. When one gets diagnosed with it, they may become so worries and the world might come crumbling around them. It leads to vision loss that is painless, relentless and progressive. It is the second most common cause of blindness that is preventable. When considering glaucoma San Antonio TX residents need to know some useful facts about it.

There are many causes of this condition, some rare and some common. It is actually not a disease but a group of various conditions with one thing in common- it causes damage to the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that sends image signals to the brain from the eyes. With this condition, the nerves will begin to get damaged over time. The fact that it takes time explains why it is easy to ignore it.

There are two sets of causes for this condition. The first will be the instances in which the defect lies in the eyes. This is the more common cause. The other option is when the defect lies in the eye optical disc. The pressure that results will cause damage to the optic nerve by reducing supply of blood to optic nerve. It is also possible that direct pressure also impairs never cells.

You should know what causes increase in pressure in eyes. Under normal circumstances, there are fluids constantly being formed in eyes and later being drained out. The fluid is called the aqueous humor. It is never the same as tears. Tears are within eyes while the aqueous humor is outside. As it drains, what results is an imbalance in formation of fluids. There will be pressure rise.

There is closed angle glaucoma. The eye structure through which the fluid drains out is known as the angle. The open angle version is the most common and involves cells forming the angle being abnormal. This is such that they will not allow adequate fluid drainage. There will be increased pressure. The angle is open but abnormal and hence the name. In the closed case, the drainage angle will be closed mechanically, which interferes with drainage of fluids. It is more common in Asia.

There are three main options of treatment which you can consider. These are surgery, laser treatment and application of eye drops. Medicines are administered as eye drops. In very rare cases, pills may be used but usually as a temporary measure. Medications function by minimizing amount of fluids in eyes. Drainage of fluids in eyes is also improved.

In the laser surgery options, there is use of light beams of low-energy. There are channels for drainage in eyes that ensure there is better outflow that lowers intraocular pressure. It is a procedure performed at the office of the surgeon.

The use of surgery for treatment is normally considered after laser treatment and use of medications fail to provide any results. Surgery is supposed to also improve drainage within eyes. It will include placement of shunts and stents in eyes.




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