The story of 43-year-old Shannon Davis underscores the urgency of regular eye check-ups. Glaucoma is responsible for irreversible vision loss by damaging the optic nerve, and it's the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Davis, diagnosed with advanced glaucoma, experienced significant vision loss, rendering him legally blind, and he could not work or drive. After various treatments and surgeries, Davis's glaucoma has stabilized over the past two years.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Noor Ali from Canberra, Australia, who oversees Davis's care, highlights that glaucoma often goes unnoticed until substantial vision loss occurs. Thus, emphasizing the crucial need for early detection screening.
What Causes Glaucoma?
“No symptoms, no headaches, nothing that was obvious,” says Davis in disbelief that this happened to him. In its early stages, glaucoma has no symptoms, hence the term ‘silent thief.’ Regular glaucoma screenings are your best defense, especially if you face certain risk factors such as:
· Being extremely near-sighted
· Genetic history of glaucoma
· Adults over 40 years of age
· Black Americans over 35
· Underlying disease (such as diabetes)
· Obesity
· Poor overall health (inactive, deficient nutritional diet, etc.)
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Every person is different, and glaucoma may show a few warning signs. However, generally when symptoms do appear, the condition is usually advanced. Typical symptoms include:
· Pain in/behind one or both eyes
· Chronic headaches
· Progressive loss of peripheral vision
· Increased need for brighter lighting for everyday tasks
· Foggy or blurry vision
What Are My Options if I Have Glaucoma?
Allowing glaucoma to progress without proper treatment will result in vision loss or blindness. In some cases, eye drops or other medications may suffice. For advanced instances, glaucoma surgery is recommended. There are many different types of glaucoma surgery. Your ophthalmologist will explain the differences between each, and together, you can determine which procedure is best for your situation.
What Does Glaucoma Surgery Entail?
Glaucoma surgery aims to lower the eye's intraocular pressure (IOP), the primary modifiable risk factor, to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. By reducing the IOP, the surgery helps halt ongoing damage to the optic nerve, thus preserving vision. At Zen Eye Institute, our ophthalmologist, Dr. Charles Zenzen, conducts glaucoma surgery on an outpatient basis, eliminating the need for a hospital stay. This surgery may also be combined with cataract surgery. For more information, please contact our office.
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Zen Eye Institute, formally Rohr Eye & Laser Center, has served the greater Grand Blanc area for over twenty years. Now operating under Dr. Charles Zenzen, we offer comprehensive medical and surgical eye care treating various conditions and diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eyes, and more. For exceptional eye care at our state-of-the-art practice, call (810) 579-0202 to make an appointment today!
Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com
