January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma Awareness Month | Florida Eye Specialsits

National Glaucoma Awareness Month is in January and is the perfect time to educate yourself on the different types of glaucoma, the most common symptoms, and the best ways to prevent it. At Florida Eye Specialists we stress the importance of preventative eye health, and it all begins with a comprehensive eye examination. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment to delay the progression of the disease, and that can only happen during your regular eye exam.

The Main Types of Glaucoma

There are two basic types of glaucoma, open-angle and angle-closure. In both of these, the main symptom is an increase in eye pressure inside of the eyeball. The most common form, open-angle glaucoma, happens when the drainage canals in the eye slowly become blocked, causing a backup of the fluids inside the eye, which increases the interior pressure. This accounts for about 90 percent of all cases of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma develops very slowly and is a lifelong condition. The progression of the disease can be so slow that it can develop without you noticing it.

The rarer form of glaucoma, angle-closure, happens when drainage canals become suddenly blocked, causing the intraocular pressure to rise quickly. This form of glaucoma has symptoms that are very noticeable and demands immediate medical attention.

Other types of glaucoma include:

  • Normal-Tension
  • Congenital
  • Secondary
  • Pigmentary
  • Pseudoexfoliative
  • Traumatic
  • Neovascular
  • And more..

Open-Angle Glaucoma Symptoms

Most people with open-angle glaucoma don’t notice any change in their eyesight. The first loss of vision most people experience is in peripheral sight, leaving the eyesight straight ahead sharp and clear. By the time someone notices any vision loss from glaucoma, it can be very advanced. Without treatment, most cases of glaucoma will lead to blindness, but with early detection with vision exams, and regular treatment, you can save your eyesight.

Glaucoma Treatment

Getting a glaucoma diagnosis can be frightening, but almost all cases can be treated successfully. For a majority of cases, we’ll first recommend prescription eye drops that help lower in intraocular pressure. Most patients respond well to this treatment, delaying or preventing the progression of the disease. For those whose glaucoma is more aggressive, treatment options include laser treatments or eye surgery to relieve the pressure inside the eye.

Glaucoma Specialists in Jacksonville

At Florida Eye Specialists we’re dedicated to giving you the best eye care possible. We offer complete glaucoma eye care services in multiple locations in the Jacksonville Florida area. Diagnosis and treatment all begin with a comprehensive eye examination. If you have any questions about glaucoma, or due for your exam, call our office at 904-564-2020 to schedule an appointment.

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