Can I Get Glaucoma In My Twenties?
Glaucoma is a condition that progressively steals your eyesight, permanently damaging your vision. Generally speaking, glaucoma is more common in people who are older.
You should be especially vigilant when you pass the age of 40. But glaucoma is not limited to the elderly. Glaucoma can occur in patients that are much younger.
This can occur as a result of injury or surgery gone wrong. It can also be because of a type of glaucoma called pigmentary glaucoma. Keep reading to learn more about this eye condition!
Age Doesn’t Matter
No matter what age you are, you should attend regular eye appointments. This is the best way to stay ahead of potential eye problems, especially glaucoma.
One of the worst parts about glaucoma is that the damage from it is not reversible. This means that if you lose vision because of glaucoma, you cannot get it back.
The other unfortunate horrible part of the disease is that it is difficult to detect. As an eye condition, glaucoma has almost no noticeable symptoms. Setting up an appointment at Pinke Eye Center is a great way to detect glaucoma early.
Reducing Internal Eye Pressure
Since there is no reversing or curing glaucoma, the method of treatment is to halt its progress. Preventing future damage means reducing internal eye pressure. This is the driving force behind most cases of glaucoma.
Glaucoma affects your sight by directly damaging the optic nerve. This usually occurs because the draining system inside of the eye is malfunctioning.
This creates fluid that enters the eye but cannot leave the eye. The resulting pressure builds until it begins to press into the fibers of the optic nerve.
Everyone has optic nerves that can withstand different amounts of pressure. Without intervention, internal eye pressure will continue to grow until vision loss occurs.
Treating Glaucoma
Reducing internal eye pressure is usually as simple as taking medication. You will be prescribed eye drops that relax the muscles in the eyes. This helps to unclog the drain.
You may also take drops that reduce the amount of internal eye fluid that is made, or sometimes drops that do both. You need to take the drops consistently for them to be the most effective. Supplementary oral medication may also be taken to reduce pressure.
If medication is not enough, surgery may become necessary. Either a laser will be used to manually increase the flow of the drainage meshwork or a new drainage canal will be created.
In either case, surgery is not a replacement for the glaucoma drops. Even after surgery, the eye drops must continue to be taken for the best eye pressure levels.
With proper care and a habit of going to the eye doctor, you can make your way through life with your vision intact. Don’t be afraid of glaucoma, be proactive!
Have questions about glaucoma or concerned that you may be losing your vision to this eye condition? Schedule an appointment at Pink Eye Center in Shelton, CT now! Don’t delay, as any vision lost because of glaucoma can never come back.
