Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. Many people do not realize they have the condition and therefore never seek glaucoma treatment from an eye care professional. At this time, glaucoma cannot be cured but it can be controlled. In other words, an eye doctor cannot restore vision lost to glaucoma, but an optometrist can slow the progression of the disease. With early detection and treatment, most patients with glaucoma will not lose their sight.

Fluid inside your eyes gives them their shape and helps them function. Tissue inside your eyes produces a steady supply of fresh fluid. Excess fluid leaves through a spongy meshwork that acts like a drain. Glaucoma is an eye disease, where high pressure caused by excess fluid inside the eye damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending information about the images your eyes see to your brain for processing. The excess fluid may be the result of overproduction of fluid or inadequate drainage.

Optometrist at Yakima Vision Center Discusses Glaucoma Treatment

The goal of glaucoma treatment is to prevent loss of vision. Today’s glaucoma treatment includes eye drops, pills, traditional surgery, laser surgery, or a combination of methods.

Each glaucoma treatment works in a slightly different way to control, but not cure, glaucoma. Eye drops and pills both control pressure inside the eyes but pills provide more of a whole-body effect as compared to pills, which only affect fluid inside the eyes. Laser surgery clears the drain that allows excess fluid to exit the eye, or by destroying the part of the eye making excess fluid. Conventional surgery creates a passage in the white part of the eye, known as the sclera, for draining excess fluid.

Like many eye diseases, high blood pressure increases your risk of glaucoma because it can raise the pressure inside your eyes. Glaucoma treatment may also include keeping your blood pressure in check.

Call Yakima Vision Center, Your Local Yakima Optometrist, Today!

If you or someone you love has glaucoma, make an appointment with an eye doctor at Yakima Vision Center. Our optometrist at Yakima Vision Center has the tools and experience you need for comprehensive glaucoma treatment. Make your appointment with our optometrist at Yakima Vision Center today by calling (509) 965-5200.