Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The problem is that eyes change so slowly that it can be hard to notice that you are starting to have glaucoma. This is why it is so important to go to the opthamologist at least once a year, or if you ever feel eye pressure, pain, or notice your vision changing. There are an estimated 3 million Americans that have glaucoma, and many of these individuals do not realize they have the disease. It is important that you are checked often. Here are some of the most common ways that glaucoma is treated:
Medication
One of the most common ways for glaucoma to be treated is with medical eye drops. The eye drops that your doctor prescribes you can vary in function, but they all will try to reduce the pressure in your eyes. Some of the medication will help your eyes stop producing as much fluid, while other medications help the fluid in your eye drain a little bit more readily. If the fluid is not able to drain then the eye will start to experience a great deal of pressure, and pressure is not a good thing.
Laser Surgery
There are a few different types of surgery that a person can go through to help with glaucoma. Once again the surgeries are designed to give your eye relief of any pressure that is building up in the eye. So, the doctor can either use a laser to clean out the duct where the fluid drains and then correct the drain angle, or cut a small hole in outside layer of the eye to allow the fluid to drain. These are both very good ways to reduce the pressure in your eyes and treat glaucoma.
Diet and Exercise
It seems with health-related topics, diet and exercise are always one of the solutions, and it is the same with glaucoma. However, you need to consult with your doctor before you make any major changes in your diet or your exercise routine. This is because some foods and some exercises while being good for the muscle and other parts of the body can increase the amount of pressure in your eye. This is something that you do not want if you have glaucoma. So, talk to your doctor and create a diet and exercise program that works for you.
Contact a medical office like Southern Colorado Eye Care Associates for more information and assistance.
Share26 September 2017
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