Eyesight is possibly the most heavily relied upon of all our senses. You really don’t appreciate just how much you depend on your eyesight until you don’t have it anymore.
Aside form the obvious practical functions, like navigating around the house or going to the store, eyesight is vital on a much deeper level. Think of how easy it is to communicate an entire feeling or idea with just a simple glance. Most experts would agree that the majority of communication is actually non-verbal. Body language plays a big role. If you are not able to pick up on these non-verbal cues because of diminished eyesight, communication can become more difficult.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve placing increasing pressure on the eyeball. It is a condition that worsens over time and can gradually lead to loss of sight.
Causes
Glaucoma is caused by high pressure from excess fluid in the eye. This occurs when the liquid in the eye, called aqueous humor, is not circulating properly. Under normal conditions, the fluid is able to flow out of the eye through a mesh-like channel. If this passageway becomes blocked, it causes a fluid build-up resulting in glaucoma.
Here are some possible causes:
- Genetics
- Blunt force eye damage
- Chemical damage – exposure to harmful substances
- Eye infections
- Blocked blood vessels
- Inflammation
Symptoms
Like with almost any disease or ailment, early diagnosis is crucial. What are some of the early warning signs?
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Red eyes
- Seeing halos or floaters around bright lights
- Eye pain
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
Treatments
If caught early enough, glaucoma may be treated with eye drops. These drops reduce fluid gathering in the eye, and boosts fluid outflow.
If the case is more advanced, surgery may be recommended. The surgery is meant to regulate the flow of fluid in the eye. If there is already a build-up of fluid, surgery can be used to drain it and relieve the pressure. Surgery can end up causing temporary or even permanent loss of vision.
Damage to the eye cause by glaucoma is irreversible. That is why it is very important to get regular eye check-ups!