Glaucoma Eye Exam & Symptoms

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye in which optic nerve damage leads to vision loss.

Gradual increase in pressure inside the eye is the main cause, typically due to a buildup of a fluid called aqueous humor, that flows throughout the eye.

Aqueous humor normally drains into the front of the eye where the iris and cornea meet, but when glaucoma sets in, the drainage canal is blocked.

The blocked drainage canal leads to a buildup of pressure, which causes optical nerve damage and loss of vision.

Glaucoma Symptoms

• Blurry vision (progressively worsening)
• Rainbow-colored circles appearing around bright lights
• Sudden vision loss (typically starting in the peripherals or corners of the eye)
• Severe head or eye pain
• Nausea (mainly due to the loss or vision or eye pain)
• Eye redness

Risk Factors

• 60 years of age or older
• Family history of glaucoma
• African-American or Hispanic descent
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sickle cell anemia
• Extreme nearsightedness
• Estrogen deficiency
• Taking corticosteroid medications, such as eyedrops, for several years

GLAUCOMA TREATMENT

Eye damage from the onset of glaucoma is irreversible, but a prescribed treatment from your eye doctor can help effectively maintain a safe eye pressure. Since symptoms of glaucoma often go unnoticed, it is crucial that you schedule routine eye exams to check for it.

Every optometrist at Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care is professionally trained to detect, diagnose, and treat glaucoma.

Schedule your eye exam today at one of our 22 convenient Indiana locations.