Our Dallas, TX Optometrist Explains What Glaucoma Is 

Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to a portion of your eye. Once it progresses, it’s possible that it may lead to blindness. However, our Optometrist in Dallas at Plaza Vision Center offers comprehensive eye evaluations that screen for glaucoma, and once we know you have it, we monitor you closely and provide medical treatment as necessary.

Definition of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve in your eye, typically as a result of the fluid pressure in your eye. Two main types exist, including primary open-angle and narrow angle glaucomas. Open-angle stems from poor drainage in your eye while angle-closure arises from the position of your iris being close to the drainage angle in your eye.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Typically, though, you won’t notice any symptoms of open-angle glaucoma until it progresses significantly. Usually, you don’t have any symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma unless it results in an “angle closure attack.” These symptoms include the following:

  • Halos or rainbows around lights
  • Eye pain
  • Mild-to-severe headaches
  • Redness in your eyes
  • Decreased or blurred vision
  • Nausea and vomiting

Why Glaucoma Occurs 

Glaucoma can arise whether you receive proper eye care or not. Glaucoma can be caused by an increase in the pressure in your eye, and certain factors make you more susceptible like being over 50 or having family members with it. Certain races are more likely to develop it such as African-Americans, Hispanics, or Asians. Some people naturally have higher eye pressure than others. You could also sustain an injury that stimulates the onset of glaucoma.

Additionally, you’re more vulnerable to developing glaucoma for the following reasons:

  • Are nearsighted or farsighted
  • Have taken a steroid medication on a long-term basis
  • Have diabetes, poor blood circulation, or hypertension
  • Have thin corneas and scleras (white part of the eye)

How Our Eye Doctor Diagnoses and Manages Glaucoma

It’s important to talk to your eye doctor if you’re over the age of 40 or notice any unusual changes in your vision. Generally, Dr. Newman, our eye doctor provides you with a comprehensive exam to check your vision as well as measure your eye pressure and inspect your eyes internally. During your appointment, our optometrist checks your peripheral vision and may measure the thickness of your cornea.

For glaucoma treatment, we may prescribe eye drops to reduce fluid or promote drainage in your eye pressure. We encourage you to seek regular eye care to monitor your condition.

Glaucoma Management

Glaucoma occurs from damage to the eye’s optic nerve and can often lead to loss of vision and blindness. To detect glaucoma, our highly trained doctors will perform proper screening to determine severity, examine damage, and help you manage your glaucoma.

Early detection of glaucoma is crucial in preventing vision loss and blindness; the earlier the better. However, there is no official cure for glaucoma. There are several treatment methods that manage, slow down, or halt the process. Treatment for glaucoma will vary depending on stage and severity for each individual patient.

Contact Our Optometrist in Dallas at Plaza Vision Center!

Whether you’re worried you have glaucoma or already have it and require glaucoma treatment, contact our optometrist in Dallas at Plaza Vision Center today by calling (214) 969-0467.