Signs That You May Have Glaucoma

The biggest problem with glaucoma isn't the fact that it eventually causes blindness. It's that glaucoma is so hard to detect. Most people who have glaucoma don't even realize that they have it until it's too late to do anything about it. Glaucoma is extremely hard to diagnose because it doesn't cause any side effects other than progressive vision loss. Unless you develop a rare case of closed angle glaucoma, you won't experience any pain, either.

Closed angle glaucoma happens suddenly and results in extremely pain and rapid vision loss. But most people develop open angle glaucoma, which happens slowly over time. If you wear prescription glasses on a regular basis, it's hard to determine if you are just losing vision due to old age or if there is something a bit more serious going on. The best way to determine if you have glaucoma is to see your eye doctor on a regular basis. He or she can conduct certain tests during your annual eye exam to make sure that your eyes are as healthy as possible. However, even if you do see your eye doctor on a regular basis, you may still be concerned about developing glaucoma. Here are some significant signs that may help you determine if you have glaucoma.

* You've noticed an extreme change in your vision. If your vision changes every year, which it normally does, then it's not a big deal. But if you have noticed a significant change in your field of vision, get an eye exam immediately.

* Your peripheral vision has been altered. Glaucoma directly affects your peripheral vision first and foremost. If objects in front of you are clear, yet you can't see anything to the right or left of them, then you may have glaucoma.

* You experience tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is a good way to detect glaucoma, because everything you see appears as though you are looking at it through a tunnel.

* Glaucoma can develop in either one or both of your eyes. Even if you experience severe vision changes in one eye only, have it checked out. It's better to be safe than sorry.

* You are experiencing a dull pain in either one or both of your eyes. Glaucoma isn't usually painful at first, but pain can develop over time. If you are experiencing any pain in your eyes at all, see an eye doctor as soon as possible.

Once properly detected, you can discuss viable treatment options with your eye doctor. There are many different ways to treat glaucoma effectively, including medicinal eye drops, laser eye surgery, eye transplants, and more. The most important concern with glaucoma is detection. The sooner you can detect it, the faster you can treat it. When glaucoma is treated right away, it is far less damaging. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. He or she can give you a proper eye examination to determine if you do, in fact, have glaucoma.