Early Signs of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve over time and can cause significant vision loss or blindness if left untreated. Noticing symptoms in the early stages of glaucoma can be challenging due to the incremental nature of the vision loss. Luckily, early detection and treatment by an optometrist can protect your sight. Crystal Clear Optometry in McAllen, TX, is here to explain the initial symptoms of glaucoma to look out for.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma develops when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye and increases pressure. This increase in pressure damages the optic nerve and compresses delicate nerve fibers. Your side vision gets impacted first when this occurs. Vision loss gradually increases over a slow period, making it challenging to notice you have glaucoma until significant vision loss occurs.

The two most common forms of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when your optic nerve gets damaged by increasing eye pressure, causing gradual blind spots before impacting your central vision. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks your eye's drainage angle, causing an acute attack that requires immediate care from your optometrist.

Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Many patients do not notice glaucoma symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. Regular eye exams from your optometrist are vital for catching and treating glaucoma early on. Here are a few subtle signs of early glaucoma:

• Seeing halos around lights
• Vision changes like blurry or hazy vision
• Eye discomfort or pain
• Headaches around your temple and eyes

Acting quickly when symptoms first arise gives optometrists the best chance of protecting eyesight from further damage through glaucoma treatment. Your optometrist can perform a comprehensive exam to test your vision, monitor eye pressure levels, inspect drainage angles, and use advanced imaging to examine the optic nerves. Doing this can detect glaucoma years before it shows noticeable symptoms. Your optometrist can discuss treatment options like eye drops or microsurgery to drain excess fluid and pressure.

Protect Your Eyes From Glaucoma Today at Crystal Clear Optometry

Catching and treating glaucoma early on is vital for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing significant vision loss, so contact Crystal Clear Optometry in McAllen, TX, for an eye exam today. Our optometrist can protect your eyes and vision with early glaucoma treatment. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (956) 687-6567.