Glaucoma can cause blurry vision and make tasks like reading and driving challenging. At Advanced Optical in Virginia, MN, we provide comprehensive eye exams to accurately diagnose glaucoma and offer treatment to preserve your vision. Before visiting us, we invite you to keep reading to learn more about glaucoma and why treatment is important!
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma isn't a single disease. Rather, it is a group of diseases that can cause progressive vision loss due to optic nerve damage. For many people, glaucoma begins slowly and they don't notice symptoms right away. There are several different types of glaucoma, however, the most common type is open-angle glaucoma. In addition, people who are over sixty are more likely to develop it, as well as those who have a family history of it.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Since glaucoma does not produce symptoms in the early stages, it is important to receive regular eye exams. With an eye exam, our optometrist can detect glaucoma early and provide prompt treatment to prevent vision loss. Most people who have glaucoma notice that they're losing their vision slowly. Peripheral vision is often affected first. You may also notice that it's tough to see the part of your visual field that's closest to your nose before having difficulty seeing objects in the outer field of your vision.
Treatment for Glaucoma
The response to glaucoma treatment can vary from person to person, so our eye doctor may have you try a few different treatments to see which works best for you. Most commonly, glaucoma is treated with medication to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve. Laser treatment can also be helpful in lowering eye pressure by draining fluid from the eye. If you've tried several treatments and are still experiencing symptoms, our optometrist may recommend surgical treatment to reduce your symptoms.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
Whether you're concerned about developing glaucoma or simply need a yearly eye exam, our team at Advanced Optical in Virginia, MN, can help. To schedule your appointment, contact us at (218) 741-3000 today. When you need an optometrist near me, we are delighted to assist you!
