The leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world, Glaucoma is a group of incurable eye conditions affecting over 3 million Americans. Generally glaucoma is caused by excessive pressure within the eye which damages the optic nerve. Commonly occurring in people 60 years older, glaucoma can manifest at any age. Many forms develop gradually and without warning signs, making early detection crucial to treatment. Regular eye exams are the best way to catch glaucoma in its early stages.

While glaucoma doesn't always manifest symptoms, the following conditions may be signs of development. If you experience multiple symptoms at once call your doctor immediately:

• Loss of peripheral vision
• Redness in the eye
• Sudden loss of vision
• Halos or blurriness around lights
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Nausea or vomiting
• Eye or head pain
• Hazy or cloudy vision
• Patchy blind spots

 
Thankfully, glaucoma can be treated to prevent total blindness if detected early. During your regular eye exam, your doctor will measure the pressure in your eye to check for signs of glaucoma. Further tests may be performed, including imaging to check for damage to the optic nerve, and visual field tests. If you are diagnosed, multiple treatment options are available including: eye drops, oral medications, eye therapy, and surgery. Your doctor will discuss with you the best options for conserving your vision.

Learning you have glaucoma can be a frightening experience. Our expert ophthalmologists take the time to ensure you understand your condition and the options available to treat it. The Vision Quest staff treats every patient like family while offering the best technology available in the valley. When it comes to something as precious as vision, don’t settle for anything less than the best.