jeudi 27 avril 2017

What You Should Know 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 various causes of glaucoma, both rare and common causes. In fact, it is not a disease but a combination of conditions with the only common thing being that they will lead to damage of optic nerve. The optic nerve is what transmits images from eyes to the brain. The nerves will start getting damaged over a period of time. Being that the loss of vision takes some time, one may not detect it easily.

Glaucoma occurs because of two different sets of causes. The first is when the defect lies within the eyes, which is the more common cause. The other cause is when the defect lies at the optical disc. This is less common. In the case when the defect lies in the eyes, it will involve increase in eye pressure and the optic nerve will get damaged. This is caused by the increased pressure. The increased pressure will damage the optic nerve through reduction of blood supply to the optic nerve. Direct pressure also damages nerve cells.

It is important that one knows the cause of increased pressure within eyes. Normally, there is constant formation of fluids in eyes which drain out constantly. This fluid is called aqueous humor and is not same as tears because tears are formed outside eyes whereas the aqueous humor is on the outside. When there is drainage, there will be imbalance in fluids forming and draining. The is what causes 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 treatment options that one can consider. They are laser treatment, use of eye drops and surgery. The medications will be given as eye drops. In very rare instances, pills may be used but as a temporary measure. Medications work by limiting quantity of fluids produced by eyes. Drainage will also be improved when eye drops and medications are used.

Laser surgery involves use of low-energy beams of light. These are aimed at drainage channels in eyes to enable better outflow and thus lower intraocular pressure. The procedure is performed in the office of the surgeon.

The use of surgery is recommended when laser treatment and eye drops do not manage the pressure. Surgery is supposed to enhance drainage. It will will include placing shunts and stents.




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